Abstract
Purpose :
Previous studies show the prevalence of Meibomian gland dysfunction (MDG) varying between 3.6% and 74.5%. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and potential associated factors of MDG in a Brazilian population in the Ribeirão Preto-São Paulo, southeast of Brazil.
Methods :
A cross-sectional study was performed with 128 individuals, 40 years or older, of both sexes (81 women and 47 men). The age categories were separated every ten years. MDG was diagnosed when one or more of the following were present in at least in one eye: absent, viscous, or waxy white secretion upon digital expression; two or more lid margin telangiectasias; and/or plugging of two or more gland orifices. The tests for dry eye disease (DED) were applied for subsequent correlations: ocular surface disease index (OSDI) > 13, Schirmer test 1 (ST) ≤ 10 mm, tear film break up time (TFBUT) < 10 s, fluorescein staining of the cornea > 3, and lissamine green staining conjunctiva > 3. We also investigated the presence of factors associated with MDG.
Results :
Among the 128 individuals, 62 (48%) were positive for MGD, 42 women (51.8 % of the 81) and 20 men (42.5 % of the 47), p = 0.36: 45 (72.6%) with symptomatic MDG (OSDI > 13). The frequency was higher in the age group 81-90 years (62.5%), p = 0.67. Twenty-nine were using lubricants (29/62; 46.8%), but none using specific treatment for MGD. We detected the following positive correlations between MDG and DED tests: 60 (96.8%) participants with MDG and TFBUT < 10 s [OR (Odds Ratio): 16.05, 95% CI (Confidence Interval): 3.59 - 71.7]; 32 (51.6%) participants with MDG and cornea fluorescein staining > 3 (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.19 - 5.06)); and 25 (40.32%) participants with MDG and conjunctiva lissamine green staining > 3 (OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.07 - 4.95). There was a positive correlation between ocular surgery and MDG (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.03 - 5.5).
Conclusions :
The prevalence of MDG in the Brazilian population is high. There were correlations between MDG and DED tests, but only one of the sixteen risk factors investigated was positive. Further studies are necessary to address this common health problem.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.