Historical Profiling of Dry Eye Patients – Potential Trigger Factors and Comorbidities

Abstract

Purpose Dry eye syndrome (DES) is one of the most common diseases of the ocular surface. Affected persons suffer from different subjective complaints, with sometimes severe impairment in the quality of life. The aetiology and pathogenesis are multifactorial, multifaceted, and not yet fully understood. The present study is intended to provide deeper insights into possible triggering factors and correlating comorbidities.

Materials and Methods In German ophthalmological practices, 306 persons (174 women, 132 men, age: 18 – 87 years) were interviewed by questionnaire on concomitant diseases and possible further triggering factors. DES was diagnosed by an ophthalmologist in 170 cases. The statistical comparative analysis between persons with and without DES was carried out using the chi-squared test (SPSS statistical software).

Results DES occurred with significantly (p < 0.05) increased frequency in women over 40 years of age, as well as in persons exposed to screen work, air conditioning, persons with chronic ocular inflammation, myomas (hysterectomy), dry skin, arterial hypertonicity in need of medication, cardiac arrhythmias, fatty liver, gastric ulcer, appendicitis, cholecystectomy, depression, hyperlipidaemia, hyperuricaemia, osteoporosis, and nephrolithiasis.

Conclusion Some of the known comorbidities and DES risk factors, e.g., computer work or depression, were confirmed. In contrast, the higher prevalence of hyperlipidaemia, hyperuricaemia, osteoporosis, nephrolithiasis, and fibroids among DES patients has not previously been reported. Additional studies should be performed on causal connections between DES and specific comorbidities.

Zusammenfassung

Zielsetzung Das Trockene Auge (TA) ist eine der häufigsten Erkrankungen der Augenoberfläche. Betroffene leiden unter verschiedenen subjektiven Beschwerden, die die Lebensqualität mitunter stark beeinträchtigen. Die Ätiologie und Pathogenese sind multifaktoriell, vielschichtig und noch nicht vollständig geklärt. Die vorliegende Arbeit soll tiefere Einblicke in mögliche auslösende Faktoren und korrelierende Komorbiditäten geben.

Material und Methoden In deutschen Augenarztpraxen wurden 306 Personen (174 Frauen, 132 Männer, Alter: 18 – 87 Jahre) per Fragebogen zu Begleiterkrankungen und möglichen weiteren auslösenden Faktoren befragt. In 170 Fällen wurde ein TA durch einen Augenarzt diagnostiziert. Die statistische Vergleichsanalyse zwischen Personen mit und ohne TA wurde mit dem Chi-Quadrat-Test (Statistiksoftware SPSS) durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse Das TA trat signifikant (p < 0,05) häufiger bei Frauen über 40 Jahren auf sowie bei Personen, die Bildschirmarbeit und Klimaanlagen ausgesetzt waren, bei Personen mit chronischen Augenentzündungen, Myomen (Hysterektomie), trockener Haut, arterieller Hypertonie, die medikamentös behandelt werden musste, Herzrhythmusstörungen, Fettleber, Magengeschwür, Blinddarmentzündung, Cholezystektomie, Depression, Hyperlipidämie, Hyperurikämie, Osteoporose und Nephrolithiasis.

Schlussfolgerung Einige der bekannten Komorbiditäten und TA-Risikofaktoren, z. B. Bildschirmarbeit oder Depression, wurden bestätigt. Die höhere Prävalenz von Hyperlipidämie, Hyperurikämie, Osteoporose, Nephrolithiasis und Myomen bei TA-Patientinnen wurde dagegen in dieser Arbeit erstmals beschrieben. Kausale Zusammenhänge zwischen TA und bestimmten Komorbiditäten sollten in Zukunft Gegenstand weiterer Untersuchungen sein.

Conclusion Box

Already known:

• Dry eyes are one of the most common diseases of the ocular surface.

• Affected persons suffer from different subjective complaints, with sometimes severe impairment in the quality of life.

• The aetiology and pathogenesis are multifactorial, multifaceted, and not yet fully understood. The present work should provide deeper insights into possible triggering factors and correlating comorbidities.

Newly described:

• Dry eyes occurred significantly more often in women over 40 years of age, screen work, contact with air conditioning, chronic ocular inflammation, myoma (hysterectomy), dry skin, arterial hypertension (medication required), cardiac arrhythmia, fatty liver, peptic ulcer, appendicitis, cholecystectomy, depression, hyperlipidaemia, hyperuricaemia, osteoporosis, and nephrolithiasis.

• The higher prevalence of hyperlipidaemias, hyperuricaemia, osteoporosis, nephrolithiasis, and myomas among dry eyes was described for the first time in this work.

Key words

dry eye - risk factors - influencing factors - concomitant diseases - cornea - conjunctiva

Schlüsselwörter

Trockenes Auge - Risikofaktoren - Einflussfaktoren - Begleiterkrankungen - Kornea - Konjunktiva

Publication History

Received: 25 August 2022

Accepted: 26 December 2022

Accepted Manuscript online:
29 December 2022

Article published online:
29 March 2023

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