Posters

Comorbidities and concomitant medications in dry eye disease: findings from a large population survey

Poster Details

First Author: D. Schaumberg UNITED STATES

Co Author(s):    M. Fridman   K. Farrand   I. Stillman              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multi-factorial ocular surface disorder characterized by insufficient tear production and/or premature tear evaporation, and inflammation of the ocular surface. Usually a chronic and symptomatic condition, it is associated with an adverse impact on quality of life. To add to our understanding of common profiles of patients with DED, and how DED may impact the whole patient, this study aimed to assess the association of DED with selected comorbid conditions and concomitant medications within a large population survey.

Setting:

Adults (≥18 years) in the United States responding to the 2013 National Health and Wellness Survey, a self-administered internet-based questionnaire about health. In this survey, participants were asked if they had been diagnosed by a physician with dry eye and other conditions.

Methods:

Among those with diagnosed DED (N=5,042) versus those without a DED diagnosis or symptoms (non-DED; N=67,268), we compared the prevalence of selected comorbid conditions, as well as use of concomitant medications prescribed for these comorbidities. Categorical variables were tested using the Chi-square test and continuous variables using the 2-sided t-test. We used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and Wald 95% CIs of DED diagnosis controlling for age, sex, insurance type, and other significant comorbidities or concomitant medications.

Results:

Odds of DED increased with the number of comorbidities (OR=2.08 for 1, 3.20 for 2, and 7.09 for ≥3, P-trend<0.0001). Participants with DED were more likely to have each of the comorbidities evaluated. For glaucoma and cataract, ORs were double those for participants without DED: 1.97 (95% CI: 1.72 to 2.26) and 2.19 (2.01 to 2.39), respectively. Odds of DED were also higher across all medication classes examined except antipsychotics. The OR of DED relative to use of allergy medications was 2.49 (2.29−2.70), depression/anxiety medications: 1.92 (1.79−2.07), and glaucoma medications: 2.46 (2.10−2.89).

Conclusions:

People with DED are more likely to experience common comorbidities such as allergy, autoimmune disease, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, pain, and glaucoma, as well as use medications to treat these diseases. The risk of DED increases incrementally with the number of comorbid conditions, rising to a 7-fold increased risk among people with 3 or more common comorbidities. Each of these comorbidities, as well as DED, has been shown to adversely impact patients’ quality of life. Thus, awareness of these associations may inform more timely diagnosis and improved management of the many millions of patients affected by this disease worldwide.

Financial Disclosure:

One or more of the authors is employed by a forNONEprofit company with an interest in the subject of the presentation