Meibomian Gland Dysfunction : Endocrine Aspects

Abstract EN

Purpose.

To compare the hormone levels of patients with seborrheic meibomian gland dysfunction with controls.

Procedures.

This is a retrospective case-control study involving 50 patients and 50 controls.

Blood workup for hormones was studied in both groups by using macroELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).

Statistical evaluation was done by using SPSS 15.0 independent samples t-test.

Results.

There were statistically significant differences of serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels between patients and controls (P = 0.000).

Female gender showed statistically significant differences of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and prolactin levels between patients and controls (P = 0.014 and P = 0.043), in addition to serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels (P = 0.000 and P = 0.001).

However, male gender showed statistically significant differences of only serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels between patients and controls.

(P = 0.003 and P = 0.003 resp.).

Conclusions.

Increased serum levels of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in both genders should be considered as diagnostic markers for seborrheic meibomian gland dysfunction.