ISRN OphthalmologyVolume 2011 (2011), Article ID 465198, 6 pagesdoi:10.5402/2011/465198

Clinical Study

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: Endocrine Aspects

Ozlem G. Sahin,¹ Elçin Kartal,² and Nusret Taheri³

¹Department of Ophthalmology, College of Health Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey²Department of Statistics, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey³Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey

Received 15 July 2011; Accepted 21 August 2011

Academic Editor: J. Wang

Copyright © 2011 Ozlem G. Sahin et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

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 -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.

1. Introduction

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is considered to be a discrete disease entity without prominent inflammatory alterations of the lid margins and a frequent cause of wetting deficiencies of the ocular surface leading to dry eye disease [1]. MGD is grouped as obstructive and seborrheic dysfunction [2, 3]. Obstructive MGD is characterized by hyperkeratinization of the ductal epithelium and increased viscosity of the meibum resulting in obstruction of the meibomian gland duct and orifice [1, 2]. Obstructive MGD is reported to be much more frequent in the general population and increases with age [2]. Seborrheic MGD is characterized by hypersecretion of meibum [3]. Proposed diagnostic criteria for seborrheic MGD include ocular symptoms and lid margin abnormalities [3]. Age, hormonal disturbances, and environmental influences have been considered in the pathogenesis of both obstructive and seborrheic MGD [2]. The effect of androgens on meibomian gland function has been studied in a group of patients with an average of 70.9 years, and androgen deficiency is considered as a critical factor in the pathogenesis of MGD and dry eye [4, 5]. Very little information exists concerning the correlation of serum levels of sex hormones, thyroid hormones, thyroglobulin, cortisol, and prolactin with seborrheic MGD between 20–30 years of age. The purpose of this study is to compare the serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), testosterone, estrodiol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH-Prog), prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), bound and unbound thyroid hormones (T3, T4), thyroglobulin, and cortisol between patients with seborrheic MGD and controls in a gender-based design between 20–30 years of age.

2. Methods

This is a retrospective case-control study involving 50 patients, 31 male and 19 female with a mean ± standard deviation (SD) of years, and 50 controls 19 male and 31 female with a mean age of years. The study is approved by the Human Studies Committee of the Middle East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey) and were conducted in accordance with guidelines established by the Declaration of Helsinki. Ocular symptoms including ocular fatigue, discharge, foreign body sensation, dryness, discomfort, sticky sensation, pain, epiphoria, itching, redness, heavy sensation, glare, excessive blinking, and history of chalazion or hordeolum were scored from 0 to 14 according to the number of symptoms present [3]. Lid margin abnormalities including irregular lid margin, vascular engorgement, plugged meibomian gland orifices, and anterior or posterior replacement of mucocutaneous junction, were scored from 0 to 4 depending on the number of abnormalities present [3]. Superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK) in the cornea was scored from 0 to 3 [3, 6]. The tear film break-up time (BUT) was measured consecutively three times after instillation of fluorescein 1% (fluorescite injection) and the median value was adopted [6]. Assessment of meibomian gland function was done by using two techniques: observation of meibomian gland orifices by using biomicroscopy and transillumination observation techniques by using a light probe (meibography) [7, 8]. Meibography was performed by using a transillumination device for vitrectomy with a 20-gauge fiberoptic light probe (Bausch and Lomb Millennium, Rochester, NY) including tungsten-halogen ad metal halide. Meiboscore for upper and lower eyelids was used as previously described: grade 0 (no loss of meibomian glands), grade 1 (loss of less than one-third of the total area of the meibomian glands), grade 2 (loss of between one-third and two-thirds of the total area), and grade 3 (loss of over two-thirds of the total area) [7, 8]. Meibomian gland expression was evaluated by applying moderate digital pressure on the tarsus of the upper eyelid, and the degree of ease with which meibum secretion was induced was evaluated as grade 0 (clear meibum, easily expressed), grade 1 (cloudy meibum, expressed with mild pressure), grade 2 (cloudy meibum expressed with more than moderate pressure), and grade 3 (no meibum expressed even with hard pressure) [9]. The procedure was performed by the same ophthalmologist. Tear film production was evaluated using the Schirmer test without application of topical anesthetics. A diagnosis of seborrheic MGD was made on the basis of an ocular symptom score of 3 or more and a lid margin score of 2 or more [3, 6]. Patients with meiboscore 1 or more, a Schirmer value of 5 mm or less, the tear break-up time of less than 5 seconds, and SPK score of 1 or more, were excluded from the study. The controls had no evidence of blepharitis, seborrheic MGD, or corneal diseases. They have only refractive errors and are otherwise healthy. Exclusion criteria for both groups include ocular allergies, contact lens wearing, history of eye surgery, and systemic or ocular diseases that might interfere tear film production or function [10]. Patients displayed ocular symptoms for at least 3 months and received no topical or systemic therapy for at least 4 weeks. Morning fasting values of testosterone, LH, FSH, DHEA-S, 17-OH-Prog, TSH, bound and unbound T3 and T4, prolactin, thyroglobulin, and cortisol were determined in 1 milliliter (mL) serum of patients and controls on the same day by using Vidas PC (bioMerieux, France) with macroELISA technique. Statistical evaluation was done by using SPSS 15.0 independent samples -test.

3. Results

The mean score of ocular symptoms of patients with seborrheic MGD was 9.48 over 14.0, and the mean score of lid margin abnormalities was 2.98 over 3.0. SPK was not detected in both groups. The tear film BUT was in the normal range, and there were no loss of the meibomian glands in both groups. The patients had the score of meibomian gland expression either grade 0 or grade 1. Table 1 discloses mean and standard deviation (SD) of serum levels of TSH, bound and unbound T3 and T4, FSH, LH, 17-OH-Prog, estrodiol, prolactin, testosterone, DHEA-S, cortisol, and thyroglobulin of the patients and controls in both genders. The mean (SD) of serum testosterone level was 2.27 (2.72) ng/mL in controls and 4.78 (3.67) ng/mL in patients (Table 1). The data mean (SD) of serum testosterone level in both genders of patients and controls was 3.52 (3.45) (Table 4). There was statistically significant difference of mean serum values of testosterone in both genders with respect to patients with seborrheic MGD and controls (P = 0.000, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22, 3.79; Table 4). The mean (SD) of serum DHEA-S level was 370.70 (146.50) μg/mL in patients with seborrheic MGD and 238.50 (97.72) μg/mL in controls (Table 1). The data mean (SD) of serum DHEA-S level in both genders of patients and controls was 304.6 (140.6) μg/mL (Table 4). There was statistically significant difference of mean serum values of DHEA-S in both genders with respect to patients with seborrheic MGD and controls (P = 0.000, 95% CI 82.78, 181.63; Table 4). Table 2 discloses the mean (SD) of serum hormone levels in female gender with respect to patients with seborrheic MGD and controls. The data mean of TSH in female gender of both patients and controls was 1.95 (1.17) μIU/mL (Table 4). The mean value of TSH in female controls was 1.64 (0.89) μIU/mL, and in female patients with seborrheic MGD it was 2.459 (1.40) μIU/mL. There was statistically significant difference of mean serum values of TSH in female gender with respect to patients with seborrheic MGD and controls (P = 0.014, 95% CI 0.17, 1.48; Table 4). The data mean of serum prolactin level in female gender of both patients and control was 19.97 (9.74) ng/mL (Table 4). The mean value of prolactin in female controls was 17.79 (7.45) ng/mL and in female patients with seborrheic MGD was 23.51 (12.0) ng/mL (Table 2). There was statistically significant difference of mean serum values of prolactin in female gender with respect to patients with seborrheic MGD and controls (P = 0.043, 95% CI 0.19, 11.24; Table 4). The data mean of serum testosterone level in female gender of both patients and controls was 0.49 (0.29) ng/mL (Table 4). The mean value of testosterone in female controls was 0.37 (0.16) ng/mL and in female patients with seborrheic MGD was 0.69 (0.08) ng/mL (Table 2). There was statistically significant difference of mean serum values of testosterone in female gender with respect to patients with seborrheic MGD and controls (P = 0.001, 95% CI 0.15, 0.49; Table 4). The data mean of serum DHEA-S level in female gender of both patients and controls was 255.20 (122.70) μg/mL. The mean value of DHEA-S in female controls was 212.07 (86.32) μg/mL and in female patients with MGD was 325.57 (141.78) μg/mL (Table 2). There was statistically significant difference of mean serum values of DHEA-S in female gender with respect to patients with seborrheic MGD and controls (P = 0.001, 95% CI 48.80, 178.19; Table 4). Table 3 shows the mean (SD) of serum hormone levels in male gender with respect to the patients with seborrheic MGD and controls. The data mean of serum testosterone level in male gender of both patients and controls was 6.56 (2.28) ng/mL (Table 4). The mean value of serum testosterone in male controls was 5.376 (1.91) ng/mL and in patients with seborrheic MGD was 7.281 (2.20) ng/mL (Table 3). There was statistically significant difference of mean serum values of testosterone in male gender with respect to patients with seborrheic MGD and controls (P = 0.003, 95% CI 0.68, 3.14; Table 4). The data mean of serum DHEA-S level in male gender of both patients and controls was 354.0 (141.10) μg/mL. The mean value of serum DHEA-S level in male patients with seborrheic MGD was 398.38 (144.6) μg/mL, and in controls was 281.63 (102.0) μg/mL. There was statistically significant differences of mean serum levels of DHEA-S in male gender with respect to patients with seborrheic MGD and controls (P = 0.003, 95% CI 40.42, 193.07; Table 4). No statistically significant differences of mean serum levels of the hormones including bound and unbound T3 and T4, FSH, LH, 17-OH-Prog, estrodiol, cortisol, and thyroglobulin in both genders were found between the patients with seborrheic MGD and controls (P > 0.05).

Table 1: Descriptive statistics of serum hormone levels in both genders with respect to patients with seborrheic meibomian gland dysfunction and controls.

Hormones
Groups
N
Mean
SD

TSH (μIU/mL)
Patient
50
1,9188
1,11642

Control
50
1,7696
1,00285

Bound-T3 (nmol/L)
Patient
50
1,5930
,32533

Control
50
1,7884
1,42732

Bound-T4 (nmol/L)
Patient
50
81,0106
9,74157

Control
50
83,3822
10,77266

Unbound-T3 (pmol/L)
Patient
50
4,9398
,75224

Control
50
4,8162
,80606

Unbound-T4 (pmol/L)
Patient
50
14,4654
2,17048

Control
50
14,4144
2,42574

FSH (mIU/mL)
Patient
50
3,5184
2,00730

Control
50
4,2894
1,95526

LH (mIU/mL)
Patient
50
4,1122
3,37226

Control
50
3,8674
2,64136

17-OH-Prog (ng/mL)
Patient
50
2,2484
3,90230

Control
50
3,8628
6,99213

Estrodiol (pg/mL)
Patient
50
69,2944
56,87763

Control
50
79,4172
63,27935

Prolactin (ng/mL)
Patient
50
17,9796
9,88949

Control
50
18,3808
8,63397

Testosterone (ng/mL)
Patient
50
4,7764
3,66869

Control
50
2,2714
2,71801

Cortisol (ng/mL)
Patient
50
147,0022
55,22128

Control
50
130,5280
53,70375

DHEA-S μg/mL
Patient
50
370,7088
146,50287

Control
50
238,5034
97,72012

Thyroglobulin (IU/mL)
Patient
50
11,9058
8,16335

Control
50
11,0008
14,74698

DHEA-S: Dihydroepiandrosterone-sulphate, 17-OH-Prog: 17 Hydroxyprogesteron, FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone, LH: Lutenizing hormone, N: Number, TSH: thyroid stimulating hormone, T3: triiodothyronine, T4: thyroxine, SD: Standard deviation.

Table 2: Descriptive statistics of serum hormone levels in female gender with respect to patients with seborrheic meibomian gland dysfunction and controls.

Sex
Group

N
Mean
SD

Statistic
Statistic
Std. Error
Statistic

F
Control
TSH (μIU/mL)
31
1,6361
,16040
,89308

Bound-T3 (nmol/L)
31
1,8371
,32359
1,80170

Bound-T4 (nmol/L)
31
83,4255
1,77369
9,87551

Unbound-T3 (pmol/L)
31
4,5261
,10682
,59474

Unbound-T4 (pmol/L)
31
13,8426
,30131
1,67762

FSH (mIU/ml)
31
4,5674
,34349
1,91249

LH (mIU/ml)
31
4,3300
,57185
3,18394

17-OH-Prog (ng/ml)
31
5,4384
1,52137
8,47062

Estrodiol (pg/ml)
31
99,3897
12,72410
70,84477

Prolactin (ng/ml)
31
17,7935
1,33895
7,45495

Testosterone (ng/ml)
31
,3687
,02907
,16186

Cortisol (ng/ml)
31
125,9610
9,50273
52,90897

DHEA-S (μg/ml)
31
212,0700
15,50368
86,32082

Thyroglobulin (IU/ml)
31
12,6848
3,30031
18,37533

Patients
TSH (μIU/mL)
19
2,4595
,32201
1,40359

Bound-T3 (nmol/L)
19
1,4242
,06133
,26734

Bound-T4 (nmol/L)
19
78,5416
2,61172
11,38422

Unbound-T3 (pmol/L)
19
4,4295
,13957
,60835

Unbound-T4 (pmol/L)
19
13,5500
,54541
2,37738

FSH (mIU/ml)
19
4,4558
,34066
1,48492

LH (mIU/ml)
19
6,2158
1,04083
4,53688

17-OH-Prog (ng/ml)
19
4,3626
1,33275
5,80933

Estrodiol (pg/ml)
19
113,9679
16,43153
71,62339

Prolactin (ng/ml)
19
23,5121
2,75322
12,00099

Testosterone (ng/ml)
19
,6895
,07690
,33520

Cortisol (ng/ml)
19
146,7295
13,17991
57,44987

DHEA-S (μg/ml)
19
325,5653
32,52678
141,78094

Thyroglobulin (IU/ml)
19
13,6400
2,23048
9,72246

DHEA-S: dihydroepiandrosterone-sulphate, 17-OH-Prog: 17 hydroxyprogesteron, F: female, FSH: follicle stimulating hormone, LH: lutenizing hormone, N: number, Std: standard, SD: standard deviation, TSH: thyroid stimulating hormone, T3: triiodothyronine, T4: thyroxine,

Table 3: Descriptive statistics of serum hormone levels in male gender with respect to patients with seborrheic meibomian gland dysfunction and controls.

Sex
Group

N
Mean
SD

Statistic
Statistic
Std. Error
Statistic

M
Control
TSH (μIU/mL)
19
1,9874
,26434
1,15225

Bound-T3 (nmol/L)
19
1,7089
,08107
,35338

Bound- T4 (nmol/L)
19
83,3116
2,84108
12,38399

Unbound-T3 (pmol/L)
19
5,2895
,20492
,89322

Unbound-T4 (pmol/L)
19
15,3474
,71985
3,13776

FSH (mIU/mL)
19
3,8358
,45658
1,99018

LH (mIU/mL)
19
3,1126
,24352
1,06148

17-OH-Prog (ng/mL)
19
1,2921
,34430
1,50077

Estrodiol (pg/mL)
19
46,8305
6,18862
26,97555

Prolactin (ng/mL)
19
19,3389
2,39230
10,42780

Testosterone (ng/mL)
19
5,3758
,43887
1,91299

Cortisol (ng/mL)
19
137,9795
12,75480
55,59687

DHEA-S (μg/mL)
19
281,6316
23,40666
102,02727

Thyroglobulin (IU/mL)
19
8,2532
,92916
4,05011

Patients
TSH (μIU/mL)
31
1,5874
,13382
,74508

Bound-T3 (nmol/L)
31
1,6965
,05705
,31762

Bound-T4 (nmol/L)
31
82,5239
1,51352
8,42691

Unbound-T3 (pmol/L)
31
5,2526
,11862
,66043

Unbound-T4 (pmol/L)
31
15,0265
,33348
1,85673

FSH (mIU/mL)
31
2,9439
,37505
2,08818

LH (mIU/mL)
31
2,8229
,23447
1,30546

17-OH-Prog (ng/mL)
31
,9526
,04296
,23916

Estrodiol (pg/mL)
31
41,9139
2,32347
12,93656

Prolactin (ng/mL)
31
14,5887
1,16484
6,48553

Testosterone (ng/mL)
31
7,2813
,39570
2,20316

Cortisol (ng/mL)
31
147,1694
9,83788
54,77501

DHEA-S (μg/mL)
31
398,3774
25,97363
144,61507

Thyroglobulin (IU/mL)
31
10,8429
1,25798
7,00414

DHEA-S: dihydroepiandrosterone-sulphate, 17-OH-Prog: 17 hydroxyprogesteron, FSH: follicle stimulating hormone, LH: lutenizing hormone, M: male, N: number, TSH: thyroid stimulating hormone, T3: triiodothyronine, T4: thyroxine, Std: Standard, SD: Standard deviation.

Table 4: Descriptive statistics of serum hormone levels with respect to genders disclosing statistically significant differences of mean values between patients with seborrheic meibomian gland dysfunction and controls.

Controls mean (SD)
Patients mean (SD)
P values (95% CI)
Controls and patients mean (SD)

All gender

Testosterone (ng/ml)
2.27 (2.72)
4.78 (3.67)
P = 0.000 (1.22, 3.79)
3.52 (3.45)

DHEA-S (μg/ml)
238.50 (97.70)
370.70 (146.50)
P = 0.000 (82.78, 181.63)
304.60 (140.60)

Female

TSH (μIU/mL)
1.64 (0.89)
2.46 (1.40)
P = 0.014 (0.17, 1.48)
1.95 (1.17)

Prolactin (ng/ml)
17.79 (7.45)
23.51 (12.00)
P = 0.043 (0.19, 11.24)
19.97 (9.74)

Testosterone (ng/ml)
0.37 (0.16)
0.69 (0.08)
P = 0.001 (0.15, 0.49)
0.49 (0.29)

DHEA-S (μg/ml)
212.07 (86.32)
325.57 (141.78)
P = 0.001 (48.80, 178.19)
255.20 (122.70)

Male

Testosterone (ng/ml)
5.38 (1.91)
7.28 (2.20)
P = 0.003 (0.68, 3.14)
6.56 (2.28)

DHEA-S (μg/ml)
281.60 (102.0)
398.40 (144.60)
P = 0.003 (40.42, 193.07)
354.0 (141.10)

CI: confidence interval, DHEA-S: dihydroepiandrosterone-sulphate, TSH: thyroid stimulating hormone, SD: standard deviation.

4. Discussion

This is the first time a case-control comparative study has been undertaken to assess the endocrine aspects of seborrheic MGD in a gender-based design. It represents the first report of increased serum levels of testosterone and DHEA-S in both genders with seborrheic MGD and increased serum levels of TSH and prolactin only in female gender with seborrheic MGD. Meibomian gland is considered as an androgen target organ [11]. Androgens (testosterone) are reported to control meibomian gland function, regulate the quality and/or quantity of lipids produced by this tissue, and promote the formation of the tear film’s lipid layer [5, 11]. Previous studies related to androgen deficiency revealed significant and striking alterations in the lipid patterns of meibomian gland secretions, and it was considered to be an important etiologic factor in the pathogenesis of evaporative dry eye [4, 5]. However, testosterone excess is considered to provoke or aggravate seborrhea at a significance rate of P < 0.01 [12]. The effect of androgens on human skin is reported to increase sebaceous gland growth and differentiation, produce acne and seborrhea [13]. We demonstrated statistically significant increase of serum levels of testosterone in both genders with seborrheic MGD with respect to control genders. The mean score of ocular symptoms of the patients with seborrheic MGD was 9.48 over 14.0, and the mean score of lid margin abnormalities was 2.98 over 4.0. The value of serum testosterone was considered to be a significant factor affecting the severity of seborrehic MGD in both genders. Adrenal glands secrete large amounts of DHEA and DHEA-S which are then converted into potent androgens (testosterone and dehydrotestosterone) or estrogens by stereogenic enzymes in the peripheral sites that permit target tissues to adjust the formation and metabolism of androgens and estrogens to local requirements [14]. Increased serum levels of DHEA-S have been reported in patients with seborrheic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, alopecia, and hirsutism [15–17]. The aging process is paralleled by a dramatic decline in the serum concentrations of DHEA and DHEA-sulphate [14]. Serum levels of DHEA is reported to decrease from the age of 30 years [18]. In addition, there is a marked decline in the circulating levels of DHEA in postmenopausal women [18]. Our study includes the patients with seborrheic MGD at young age, mean age of 23, and age-matched controls. We demonstrate significant increase in serum levels of DHEA-S in both genders of patients with respect to control genders. We consider increase in serum values of DHEA-S in patients with seborrheic MGD could be used as diagnostic marker, and could be correlated with severity of the disease. Estrogens, glucocorticoids, and prolactin are also considered to influence sebaceous gland function by stimulating proliferation of sebocyte [19, 20]. Previous studies demonstrated that tear production in humans is correlated with prolactin [21]. The effect of prolactin on meibomian gland function has not been reported before. Our study revealed significant increase in serum levels of prolactin in female gender of patients with seborrheic MGD as compared to control gender. However, there was no significant increase in serum levels of prolactin in male patients with seborrheic MGD as compared to control gender. The correlation of serum prolactin level with seborrheic MGD remains to be determined. The function of TSH on sebocytes has not been reported before. Our study revealed significant increase serum levels of TSH only in female gender of the patients with seborrheic MGD with respect to the control gender. The correlation of serum levels of TSH with seborrheic MGD also remains to be determined in larger cohorts. No significant difference of serum levels of other hormones including bound and unbound T3 and T4, FSH, LH, progesteron, estrodiol, cortisol and thyroglobulin were found between patients with seborheic MGD and controls in both genders. In conclusion: Increased serum levels of testosterone and DHEA-S in both genders should be considered as diagnostic markers for seborrheic MGD and may affect severity of the disease. However, the correlations of serum levels of TSH and prolactin with seborrheic MGD need to be further investigated.

Conflict of Interests

The authors have no proprietary or commercial interests in any concept or product discussed in this paper.

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