Real-world analysis of medications inducing meibomian gland dysfunction: based on the FDA adverse event reporting system database.

BACKGROUND

Dry eye syndrome (DES) significantly affects quality of life. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a primary contributor to DES and may be drug-induced.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND

METHODS

This study analyzed data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) between January 2004 and September 2023 using the Ratio of Odds Ratios (ROR) and Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR) to detect potential drug-induced MGD signals. Drugs were categorized by therapeutic class.

RESULTS

Among 289 MGD cases, the average patient age was 51.69 years, with 65.44% female. MGD reports have increased over time, peaking in 2023, primarily from the United States and Europe. Of 148 drugs, nine showed significant associations with MGD, including those in ophthalmology, oncology, immunomodulation, dermatology, and the urogenital system.

CONCLUSION

This real-world study identifies drugs potentially linked to MGD, offering valuable insights for drug safety surveillance. These findings support the development of pharmacovigilance strategies and optimized clinical practice to mitigate ocular risks.