Polypharmacy Associated With the Simultaneous Prevalence of Dry Eye Due to Aqueous Deficiency and Hyposalivation in Adults Over 50 Years Old

Introduction Dry eye and hyposalivation, often linked to Sjögren's syndrome (SS), are prevalent among adults. However, systemic diseases and their associated medications also play a role, as drug interactions can intensify the effects of certain medications. Objective To assess whether polypharmacy is associated with the co-occurrence of aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE) and hyposalivation in adults aged 50 years and older without SS. Methods In a convenience sample of 455 adults who attended an optometry clinic, a medical history questionnaire was completed, and tear (Schirmer I) and salivary production (cotton weight test) were evaluated. To investigate the links between dry eye (due to aqueous deficiency and hyposalivation) and various factors (polypharmacy, chronic diseases, age, sex, education, marital status, employment, illicit drug, alcohol, and tobacco use), logistic regression modeling was employed. Then, odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were obtained. Results A simultaneous prevalence of ADDE and hyposalivation of 16.7% (n = 76) (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 13.5%-20.4%) and a prevalence of polypharmacy of 23.1% (n = 105) (95% CI 19.4%-27.1%) were found. Subjects with polypharmacy had an 88.0% higher probability of developing ADDE and hyposalivation (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.07-3.29; p = 0.026). Conclusions Polypharmacy increases the likelihood of both ADDE and hyposalivation in individuals without SS. It is important to provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary care to adults, to detect these diseases in time, and to maintain strict control of the medications they need.