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Prevalence of asymptomatic and symptomatic meibomian gland dysfunction in the general population of Spain.

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012 Mar 16;

Authors: Viso E, Rodríguez-Ares MT, Abelenda D, Oubiña B, Gude F

Abstract
Purpose: To describe epidemiological characteristics of asymptomatic and symptomatic meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in a general adult population in north-western Spain.Methods: A total of 1155 subjects ≥40 years were selected by an age-stratified random sample procedure in O Salnés (Spain). A standardized symptoms questionnaire was administered and a comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation which included ocular surface tests was carried out. Absent, viscous or waxy white secretion upon digital expression, lid margin telangiectasia or plugging of the meibomian gland orifices was considered evidence of MGD. The prevalence and associations of asymptomatic and symptomatic MGD, and their effects on the ocular surface, were investigated.Results: From 937 eligible subjects, 619 (66.1%) participated (mean age (SD): 63.4 (14.5) years, range: 40-96, 37.0% males). The prevalence of asymptomatic MGD was 21.9% (95%CI 18.8-25.3). This prevalence increased with aging (P=0.000) and was higher in men than in women (P=0.003). The prevalence of symptomatic MGD was 8.6% (95%CI 6.7-10.9). This prevalence also increased with aging (P=0.000) but was not associated with sex. Abnormal tear breakup time and fluorescein staining prevalence estimates were higher among asymptomatic subjects. After controlling for age and sex, asymptomatic MGD was associated with diabetes (ORa2.23) and cardiovascular disease (ORa1.80), and symptomatic MGD with rosacea (ORa3.50) and rheumatoid arthritis (ORa16.50). Conclusions: Asymptomatic MGD is more common than symptomatic MGD. Symptomatology is not associated with secondary damage to the ocular surface. Some systemic diseases may lower whereas others may raise the risk of developing symptoms. Symptom-based approaches do not seem appropriate for MGD estimation.

PMID: 22427596 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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