Meibomian Gland Dysfunction as an Indicator of Hypercholesterolemia: A Case Control Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Chemical analysis of lipids secreted from meibomian glands shows that it consists of a mixture of non-polar and polar lipids. Systemic dyslipidemia may theoretically affect the meibomian lipid composition and secretion. The purpose of this study was to investigate a possible correlation between Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and hypercholesterolemia and that MGD may become a marker of previously unknown hypercholesterolemia. Methods: After obtaining approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee, a case control study was undertaken in the Department of Ophthalmology, AJ Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital from August 2016 till January 2017 enrolling 60 MGD cases and 100 controls. Patients satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled and examined using pre-specified clinical criteria. Using statistical analysis serum lipid profile was compared for cases and controls.Results: 60 cases of MGD and 100 controls with average age 48.03±12.05 and 44.61±12.11 years respectively were enrolled. Higher serum triglyceride levels were seen in cases (144.03±55.54 mg/dL) and so were higher low density lipid levels (122.16±39.41 mg/dL). MGD cases had higher levels of high density lipids (42.36±13.16 mg/dL) and controls had 41.38±12.17. Using Fisher’s exact test, gender of the subjects was found to be statistically significant for MGD development (p=0.006). Distribution of serum cholesterol and low density lipids was found to be statistically different across the different categories of MGD; p=0.006 and p=0.037 respectively. Conclusion: This study suggests that MGD can act as a clinical marker for hypercholesterolemia. Larger, multi-centric studies are required to confirm our findings: