Impact of meibomian gland dysfunction on quality of life and mental health in a clinical sample in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the impact of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) on quality of life and psychosomatic conditions.DesignThis was a clinic-based cross-sectional study.SettingThis study was conducted at the eye clinic of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.Participants215 clinical subjects visiting the clinic for a comprehensive eye examination.Primary and secondary outcome measuresSymptomatic MGD, asymptomatic MGD, quality of life scores, depression, anxiety and stress.Results215 clinical subjects consented to participate in the study, but 212 were included in the analysis. The mean age was 21.9 (± 3.8) years, 54 had MGD and 158 did not have MGD served as controls. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean quality of life scores between subjects with MGD and subjects without MGD (t=1.57, p=0.12). The quality of life scores (DEQS) (p=0.022) were significantly higher in the symptomatic MGD group compared with the asymptomatic MGD group. There was no significant difference in quality of life scores (DEQS) (p=0.251) in the asymptomatic MGD group compared with healthy controls. Using Pillai’s trace in the MANOVA, there was a significant effect of MGD on depression, anxiety and stress (V=0.05, F(3,208)=3.76, p=0.012). Furthermore, Pillai’s trace in the MANOVA showed a significant difference between asymptomatic and symptomatic MGDs for depression, anxiety and stress scores stress (V=0.24, F(3, 51)=5.24, p=0.003).ConclusionThe study revealed no difference in the quality of life scores between MGD and non-MGD groups. However, the symptomatic MGD group had worse quality of life and psychosomatic symptoms than the asymptomatic MGD group and non-MGD group.

Evaluation of the Impact of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Using a Novel Patient-Reported Outcome Instrument

“…In the absence of an MGD-specific and validated PRO instrument, clinical studies that have assessed patient-reported health outcomes in MGD have generally employed DED-specific instruments, such as the Ocular Surface Disease Index, 17–24 the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED), 24–32 the Ocular Comfort Index, 17 the Canadian Dry Eye Assessment, 33 the Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye, 21 , 24 and the Dry Eye-Related Quality-of-Life Score (DEQS) 19 questionnaires, which allow assessment of a range of symptoms associated with ocular discomfort. However, given that many of these symptoms are common to both MGD and DED, the available DED-specific questionnaires are unlikely to be able to differentiate between the 2 conditions.…”

“… 38 Subsequent evaluation of DEQS in patients with MGD found no significant differences in DEQS scores between those with and without MGD, which may reflect the fact that this PRO instrument was not specifically developed for use in MGD patients. 19 …”

Neurophysiology of corneal neuropathic pain and emerging pharmacotherapeutics

“…Assessing and diagnosing a disease process that is felt, not seen (not apparent on typical ocular surface workup), can improve a patient's quality of life and mental health, mitigating the challenges of everyday living (Asiedu et al., 2018; Asiedu, Dzasimatu, et al., 2022). To arrive at a diagnosis of corneal neuropathic pain requires some key features to be present.…”

One-year outcome of intense pulsed light therapy for refractory meibomian gland dysfunction in patients continuously exposed to hypotensive agents: a comparative study

“…8 The ocular symptoms caused by MGD substantially affect life quality as well as reduce medication adherence, leading to less effectiveness of antiglaucoma treatments, thus increasing the likelihood of blindness. 2,7,9 Therefore, it is crucial to explore an effective and sustainable treatment for glaucoma patients with MGD.…”