Hormone-related Factors Associated with Dry Eye Syndrome in Postmenopausal Korean Women: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES), 2010-2012

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between hormone related factors and dry eye syndrome (DES) in postmenopausal Korean women. Method: This population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted by analyzing a complex sample design procedure for 4586 postmenopausal women who completed the 5th National Health and Nutrition Survey (2010-2012). The prevalence of dry eye was calculated for postmenopausal women. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between DES and hormone related factors (exogenous and endogenous), and we also adjusted for possible covariates(possible covariates were adjusted). Result: The weighted DES prevalence (95% CI) in postmenopausal women was 14.2% (13.0-15.8). Even after adjusting for socio-demographic factors, lifestyle factors, and medical factors, the risk of DES was increased when taking oral contraceptives for more than 23 months (odds ratio = 1.47, 95% confidence interval = 1.03-2.09) and for women over 36 months of hormone replacement therapy (odds ratio = 1.70, 95% confidence interval = 1.17-2.47). Conclusion: Long-term oral contraceptive use and hormone replacement therapy in Korean postmenopausal women were significantly associated with increased DES.