Epidemiology and risk factors for the development of cicatrizing conjunctivitis in chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease

To evaluate the incidence of chronic cicatrizing conjunctivitis (CCC) and its associated risk factors in the context of chronic ocular graft-vs-host disease (coGVHD). A retrospective chart review of individuals diagnosed with coGVHD following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) who were seen at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between May 2010 and November 2021 was performed. Data regarding baseline demographic characteristics, systemic co-morbidities, lid margin abnormalities, ocular cicatricial changes, transplant information, immunosuppressive therapy, and GVHD severity assessments were collected. The incidence of cicatricial conjunctivitis was estimated with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. A Cox regression model was used to assess the contribution of demographic and systemic variables to the development of CCC. 167 individuals were included (53.9 ± 14.7 years old; 60.5 % male). 65 individuals presented with features suggestive of CCC an average of 60.9 ± 53.8 months after HSCT, with 60-month and 120-month incidences of 29.3 % and 48.9 %, respectively. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that age younger than 50 at the time of the first eye visit was associated with a higher chance of CCC development (Hazard Ratio (HR): 2.14, 95 % Confidence Interval (CI): 1.16–3.97, p = 0.02). Clinically detected cicatrizing conjunctivitis is an ocular manifestation of coGVHD, with an incidence that increases over time. Younger individuals may be at higher risk for CCC development. •Chronic cicatrizing conjunctivitis (CCC) is an ocular complication following graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).•The incidence of CCC was 29.3 % at 60 months and 48.9 % at 120 months post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.•The risk of CCC increased with time and some individuals developed CCC after their first visit to the eye clinic.•Age younger than 50 was a risk factor for CCC development after GVHD.•Regular ophthalmologic visits should be completed in individuals with chronic ocular GVHD to monitor for CCC.