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The relationship between dry eye disease and anticholinergic burden
Zeynep Katipoğlu1, Rafiye Nur Abay2
1Polatlı Duatepe State Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey. zynp_nal@hotmail.com.
Eye (London, England)
|February 9, 2023
Summary
Anticholinergic drug burden is linked to dry eye disease (DED). Increased burden significantly raises DED risk, suggesting caution in prescribing these common medications for adults.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Anticholinergic drugs are frequently prescribed for various conditions.
- Limited data exists on the association between anticholinergic burden and dry eye disease (DED).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between anticholinergic burden and the prevalence of DED.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study involving 120 participants.
- Anticholinergic burden was assessed using the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) scale.
- Ophthalmological examinations and drug history review were conducted.
Main Results:
- Patients with DED exhibited higher anticholinergic burden (p=0.01).
- A positive correlation was found between ACB scores and OSDI scores (p=0.02).
- A 1-point increase in anticholinergic burden increased DED risk by 2.97-fold (p=0.02) after adjustments.
Conclusions:
- Anticholinergic burden is significantly associated with DED.
- Increased caution is advised when prescribing anticholinergic medications to adult patients to mitigate adverse outcomes.
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