Analysis of Prevalence and Risk Factors for Dry Eye Syndrome in Korean Adults; Based on the 5th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2012)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of present study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for dry eye syndrome in Korean adults using data from the 5th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2012). Methods: We analyzed the prevalence and risk factors for dry eye syndrome according to characteristics of sociodemographic, systemic diseases, and health related behaviors of 5,698 adults, men 2,368(41.6%) and women 3330(58.4%), aged 19 years and older, who were diagnosed with the dry eye syndrome by ophthalmologists. Results: The prevalence of dry eye syndrome was 13.5% in this population. The prevalence of dry eye syndrome in the sociodemographic characteristics was significantly higher in women than in men, in 50 years and older than under 50 years people, and in urban area than in rural area residents. The prevalence of dry eye syndrome by systemic diseases was significantly higher in subjects with hypertension, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, depressive disorder, and renal failure. The prevalence of dry eye syndrome by health related behaviors was higher in non-smokers, non-drinkers, and short time sleepers. The dry eye syndrome was more frequent in women (OR 2.29, CI 1.89-2.77), in 50 years and older people (OR 1.21, CI 1.01-1.46), and rural area resident s (OR 1.96, CI 1.56-2.47). After adjusting for all significant variables, independent risk factors for dry eye syndrome were renal failure (multi-variable odds ratio (OR) 2.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48-5.69), thyroid disease (OR 1.62, CI 1.16-2.26), rheumatoid arthritis (OR 1.54, CI 1.01-2.33), dyslipidemia (OR 1.42, CI 1.13-1.78), depressive disorder (OR 1.36, CI 1.11-1.66), and osteoarthritis (OR 1.27, CI 1.02-1.57). Conclusion: The prevalence of dry eye syndrome in adults aged 19 and over was 13.5%. The dry eye syndrome was more frequent in women, 50 years and older people, and in urban residents, as a socio-demographic factor. Systemic disease factors related to dry eye were renal failure, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, dyslipidemia, depressive disorder, osteoarthritis. We suggest that people with dry eye syndrome risk factors should be provided about dry eye symptoms through the education, so that they can be found early and appropriately treated dry eye.