Prevalence and risk factors of dry eye disease in patients treated with aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer

ABSTRACT

Clinical relevance

Treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in patients with breast cancer can lead to dry eye disease (DED).

Background

The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence and risk factors of DED in patients treated with AIs for breast cancer.

Methods

Participants in this cross-sectional study were patients with breast cancer treated with AIs. Demographic and clinical data, including age, sex, type of cancer, stage, grade, duration of treatment and adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were collected. All patients underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination, as well as Tear Break up Time (TBUT) and Schirmer test, while Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaires were administered. Based on the clinical findings, a diagnosis of DED was made, and prevalence was calculated. Univariate analysis of the association of different variables with DED was performed. A logistic regression analysis was done to identify risk factors for DED among study population.

Results

A total of 102 participants were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 62.4 ± 10.8 years. A total of 77 out of 102 patients (75.5%) had ductal, 16 (15.7%) lobular and 9 (8.8%) other types of breast cancer. A total of 83 patients (81.4%) received chemotherapy and 70 patients (68.6%) received radiotherapy. The mean duration of treatment was 24.4 ± 18.9 months. The prevalence of DED in the study sample was 69.6%. Patients who received radiotherapy (OR = 3.31, 95%CI = 1.30–7.82, p = 0.01) or were under treatment with AIs for more than 24 months (OR = 3.53, 95%CI = 1.47–9.21, p = 0.002) were found to have an increased risk of DED.

Conclusion

There was a high prevalence of DED among the study population. Radiotherapy and duration of treatment with AIs were independently associated with DED.

KEYWORDS:

• Aromatase inhibitors
• breast cancer
• dry eye disease
• OSDI
• Schirmer test
• TBUT

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).