Ocular chronic graft versus host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation – preliminary data

Abstract Purpose Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT) is a curative therapy for a number of malignant and non‐malignant hematological diseases. Allogeneic HSCT can be performed in several ways; donor cells can be obtained from bone marrow(BMT), peripheral blood(PBSCT) or cord blood(CBT). Ocular chronic graft versus host disease(cGVHD) is a major contributor to long‐term morbidity after HSCT. The purpose of this study was to report the frequency of ocular cGVHD after allogeneic HSCT. Methods Retrospective examination of 233 charts of patients (adults>15years) who underwent consecutive allogeneic HSCT from January 2000‐june 2011 at Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet). All allogeneic HSCT in Denmark are performed at this hospital. All patients were examined ophthalmologically before the transplant, yearly after the transplant and ad hoc if any ophthalmic problems occurred. The diagnosis of ocular cGVHD was made according to the NIH consensus criteria. Results Fifty‐eight(25.3%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of ocular cGVHD, 16 out of 78(20.5%) in the BMT group, 41 out of 152(27.0%) in the PBSCT group and 1 out of 3(33.3%) in the CBT group. Male:female ratio was 40:18(2.22) (in the cohort 146:87(1.68)). Median time of onset was 24.3 months after HSCT(range 4.9‐146.1). In the cohort median age was 45.2 years(rage 15.2‐71) at transplantation time and 55.5 years(18.43‐69.0) when ocular cGVHD was diagnosed. Median time of follow‐up was 24.8 months(range 0.4‐147.6). Conclusion Out of 233 patients who received allogeneic HSCT, 59(25.3%) developed ocular cGVHD. The median time of onset was 24.3months after transplantation and median age at onset was 55.5 years.