To analyze the relationship between systemic lipid profile levels and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) subtype in Korea. The ophthalmic data of 95 eyes and the serum lipid profiles of 95 patients were reviewed. These factors were compared with those of the general population using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), which evaluated 2,917 subjects. Of these, the comparison group (1:5 ratio; n = 475) was selected using propensity score matching according to age and sex. In addition, we analyzed the relationship between serum lipid profile levels and MGD subtypes in MGD patients. The mean high-density lipoprotein (HDL) value of the MGD patients was significantly higher than that of the general population (P < 0.0001). Moreover, the mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels of the MGD patients was significantly lower than that of the general population (P = 0.0002). However, the mean total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels of the MGD patients were not significantly different from those of the general population (TC: P = 0.4282, TG: P = 0.5613). In addition, no serum lipid levels statistically differed among the MGD subtypes (TC: P = 0.7650, HDL: P = 0.2480, LDL: P = 0.3430, TG: P = 0.7030). A statistically significant increase in HDL and decrease in LDL concentration were observed in the MGD group, although there was no difference in any serum lipid level among the MGD subtypes.

Purpose: To analyze the correlation between systemic lipid profile levels and each meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) subtype in Korea.Methods: The ophthalmic data of 95 eyes and the serum lipid profiles of 95 patients were reviewed. These factors were compared with those of the general population using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), which evaluated 2,924 subjects. Of these, 475 propensity score-matched normal controls were selected for comparison with the 95 MGD patients based on a 1:5 ratio. In addition, we analyzed the correlations between serum lipid profile levels and MGD subtypes in MGD patients.Results: The mean high-density lipoprotein (HDL) value of the MGD patients was significantly higher than that of the general population (P < 0.0001). However, the mean total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels of the MGD patients were not significantly different from those of the general population (TC: P = 0.3950, TG: P = 0.6331, LDL: P = 0.2079). In addition, no serum lipid levels statistically differed among the MGD subtypes (TC: P = 0.7650, HDL: P = 0.2480, LDL: P = 0.3430, TG: P = 0.7030).Conclusion: A statistically significant, but marginal, increase in HDL concentration was observed in the MGD group, although there was no difference in any serum lipid level among the MGD subtypes.