Symptomatic Dry Eye Disease and Associated Factors Among Adult Diabetic Patients in Adare General Hospital, Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia, 2023

Abstract

Introduction

Symptomatic dry eye disease is a multifactorial ocular surface condition caused by disruption of the precorneal tear film and is a common clinical finding in diabetic patients. However, there was no study on the prevalence and associated factors of symptomatic dry eye disease among diabetic patients in Ethiopia or in the study area.

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of symptomatic dry eye disease among adult diabetic patients in Adare General Hospital, Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia, in 2023.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 493 adult diabetic patients who were selected using systematic random sampling, from April 23 to June 8, 2023. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview using an ocular surface disease index questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors potentially associated with symptomatic dry eye disease. Variable with a P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 488 subjects participated in this study with a response rate of 99%. The prevalence of symptomatic dry eye disease was 34.8% (95% CI = 30.6–39.1). College and university educational status (AOR = 5.88, 95% CI = 2.25–15.38), government employed (AOR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.05–4.68), use of visual display unit >5 hours (AOR = 4.41, 95% CI = 1.51–12.87), duration of diabetes ≥11 years (AOR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.28–9.90), poor glycemic control (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.21–3.75), allergic conjunctivitis (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.12–3.54), and debris in the tear film (AOR = 3.63, 95% CI = 1.53–8.61) were positively associated with symptomatic dry eye disease.

Conclusion

The study revealed a high prevalence of symptomatic dry eye disease. Higher educational status, government employed, use of visual display unit, longer duration of diabetes, poor glycemic control, allergic conjunctivitis, and tear film debris were significantly associated with symptomatic dry eye disease. Breaks in screen use, good glycemic control, and treatment of ocular morbidities such as allergic conjunctivitis and debris in the tear film were recommended for all diabetic patients.

Keywords:

• symptomatic dry eye disease
• Hawassa City
• diabetic patients
• Southern Ethiopia

Data Sharing Statement

All the necessary data are included in the manuscript, and if needed, the supporting data are available by request to the corresponding author.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the University of Gondar for financial support to conduct the fieldwork of this research. The authors would also like to acknowledge study participants for providing their valuable time and genuine response.

Disclosure

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest in this research work.

Additional information

Funding

There is no funding provided for this research for publication.