Global Prevalence of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2021 Jan 2;29(1):66-75. doi: 10.1080/09273948.2020.1755441. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the pooled prevalence of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and evaluate its risk factors by gender, age, and ethnicity.Methods: Articles were searched reporting the prevalence of MGD from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases.Results: The estimated pooled prevalence of MGD was 0.358 (95% CI 0.26-0.46; I2: 99.57%). The prevalence of MGD was 0.358 (95% CI 0.24-0.50) in clinical and 0.359 (95% CI 0.22-0.52) in population-based studies. Men were more prone to MGD than women (OR: 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.52, p = 0.034). The rate of MGD was between 21.2% and 29.5% in Africans and Caucasians, to 71.0% in Arabs, and 67.5% in Hispanics.Conclusion: MGD is a quite prevalent disorder with an estimated pooled prevalence of 35.8%. Men are more prone to MGD than women. There is a large variation between studies in terms of quality, sample size, age ranges, diagnostic criteria, and ethnicity.

Keywords: Meibomian gland dysfunction; epidemiology; inflammation; meta-analysis; prevalence.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Ethnicity*
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Meibomian Gland Dysfunction / ethnology*
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Assessment / methods*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution