Prevalence and Risk Factors of self-reported dry eye in Brazil using a short symptom questionnaire

Author(s)

de Castro, Julia Silvestre ^{[1, 2]} ; Selegatto, Iara Borin ^[2] ; de Castro, Rosane Silvestre ^[1] ; Miranda, Eliana C. M. ^[1] ; Cabral de Vasconcelos, Jose Paulo ^[1] ; de Carvalho, Keila Monteiro ^[1] ; Leite Arieta, Carlos Eduardo ^[1] ; Alves, Monica ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Fac Med Sci, UNICAMP, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] UNILUS, Fac Med Sci Santos, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 8, FEB 1 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

To evaluate dry eye prevalence and investigate associated risk factors in Brazil by applying a short questionnaire of symptoms and risk factors. A cross-sectional study of 3,107 participants from all the five different geopolitical regions of Brazil. Overall prevalence of dry eye in this study population was 12.8%. Dry eye previous diagnosis was reported by 10.2% and presence of severe symptoms in 4.9%. Logistic regression analysis confirmed some significantly risk factors, such as female sex (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.74; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.12-1.93), age >= 60 year-old (OR 2.00; 95% CI: 1.44-2.77), history of ocular surgery (OR 1.84; 95% CI: 1.30-2.60), contact lens wear (OR 1.93; 95% CI: 1.36-2.73), cancer treatment (OR 3.03; 95% CI: 1.36-6.59), computer use > 6 hours per day (OR 1.77; 95% CI: 1.36-2.31), antidepressants (OR 1.61; 95% CI: 1.12-2.31) and anti-allergy (OR 2.11; 95% CI: 1.54-2.89) medications. Nevertheless, when stratified by regions, each one had its own significant factors and inherent characteristics. This is the first study about prevalence and risk factors of dry eye in a large population sample from all regions of Brazil. Dry eye is a common condition in the Brazilian population and prevalence rates varies substantially in the different geographic regions of the country, possibly reflecting climate and socioeconomic discrepancies. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/19138-5 - Ocular tissue biobank implementation and investigation of new pathophysiological mechanisms of anterior segment eye diseases
• Grantee: Mônica de Cássia Alves
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants