Total cholesterol and lipoprotein composition are associated with dry eye disease in Korean women

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aimed to determine the relationship between dyslipidemia and dry eye disease (DED) in a Korean population.MethodsThis population-based study enrolled 5,627 adults (aged >19 years) who were participating in the first year of the fifth annual Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2010 to 2011. Clinically diagnosed DED and its symptoms were surveyed, and biochemical blood analysis data were collected. Dyslipidemia was defined as any of the following: hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol > 200 mg/dL), hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride > 150 mg/dL), low levels of high-density lipoprotein (<40 mg/dL), or high levels of low-density lipoprotein (>100 mg/dL).ResultsAfter adjusting for demographics (age and body mass index), lifestyle (smoking, drinking, exercise, and residential district), and medical factors (diabetes, hypertension, previous ophthalmic surgery, menopause, and rheumatologic disease), elevated serum cholesterol level was found to be associated with increased likelihood of DED (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.127–2.78) in women.ConclusionsDED in a Korean population was found to be associated with high serum cholesterol levelsThe results of this study highlight the significance of eye examinations and independent lipid profile monitoring in patients with dyslipidemia because of its possible correlation with DED progression.

Systemic Comorbidities of Dry Eye Syndrome

“…These include metabolic diseases (thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia), cardiovascular diseases (ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, peripheral vascular disorders, stroke, pulmonary circulation disorders, migraine), immunologic diseases (allergies, rosacea, systemic lupus erythematosus, myasthenia gravis), degenerative diseases (arthritis, benign prostatic hyperplasia), mental diseases (posttraumatic stress disorder, depression) and malignancies. 1,10,18 The strength of this study was using multiple regression analysis to identify significant demographic variables (age, sex, residence area, occupation, and education level) and conducting conditional regression analysis by adding these demographic variables to calculate AOR of each chronic disease. Of the above, our analysis revealed 5 systemic diseases significantly associated with dry eye syndrome: dyslipidemia (AOR: 1.63), degenerative arthritis (AOR: 1.56), rheumatoid arthritis (AOR: 1.44), thyroid disease (AOR: 1.79), and chronic renal failure (AOR: 2.56).…”

“…18 It is worthy to note that hypercholesterolemia has been associated with meibomian gland dysfunction, a major cause of evaporative dry eye syndrome. 19,20 One possible explanation is that increased cholesterol in meibomian lipid may raise its melting point, increasing its viscosity, and obstruct the gland orifices.…”

Associations between the Number of Natural Teeth and the Maternal Age at Childbirth or History of Parity in Postmenopausal Women: The 2010–2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…15 According to these criteria, three or more of the following criteria must be fulfilled to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome: waist circumference ≥ 90 cm in men and ≥ 80 cm in women; fasting triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL or use of lipid-lowering medication; high-density lipoproteincholesterol < 40 mg/dL in men and < 50 mg/dL in women or use of medication; blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive medication; and fasting blood glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL or current use of anti-diabetes medication. Diabetes was diagnosed when fasting blood sugar was > 126 mg/dL or when the individual was currently using anti-diabetic medications.…”

Association of dyslipidaemia and oral statin use, and dry eye disease symptoms in the Blue Mountains Eye Study

“…We found that participants with hypercholesterolaemia had no significantly increased risk of reporting DED symptoms. As outlined in Table 1, Dao et al, 12 Pinna et al, 15 Chun et al 13 and Braich et al 16 reported that hypercholesterolaemia was significantly associated with the presence of DED or MGD on examination. Our outcome measure was the presence of DED symptoms rather than the clinical presence of DED or MGD.…”