Volume 83, Issue 10 (January 2025)
Tehran Univ Med J. 2025, 83(10): 739-742 |
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Adnani Sadati S J, Saghafipour A, Zakihzadeh A, Vahedian M, Afsahi S, Sarvi M et al . Relationship between eyelid demodex infestation in patients
referred to the Kamkar hospital: a brief report. Tehran Univ Med J. 2025; 83 (10) :739-742
URL: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-13885-en.html
URL: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-13885-en.html
Seyed Jafar Adnani Sadati1, Abedin Saghafipour *2, Amirali Zakihzadeh3, Mostafa Vahedian4, Shirin Afsahi5, Mahsa Sarvi6, Jalil Nejati7
1- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
2- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
3- Student Research Committee, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
4- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
5- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
6- Student Research Committee, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
7- Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
2- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
3- Student Research Committee, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
4- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
5- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
6- Student Research Committee, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
7- Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
Abstract: (29 Views)
Background: Demodex mites are common ectoparasites of hair follicles and sebaceous glands and have been implicated in various inflammatory ocular conditions. Limited data are available regarding demographic and behavioral factors associated with ocular demodicosis in marginalized populations. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of eyelash Demodex infestation and its association with demographic variables among patients attending an ophthalmology clinic.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 120 eligible patients who attended an ophthalmology clinic in Qom, central Iran were enrolled between 2024 and 2025. Eyelash samples were microscopically examined for Demodex infestation. Demographic and hygiene-related data such as Age, gender, level of education, frequency of daily face washing, eyelid washing with baby shampoo or other detergents, having a pet and type of blepharitis were collected and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests and logistic regression analysis. A significance level less than 0.05 was considered.
Results: The overall prevalence of ocular demodicosis was 5.8% (7.120). Infested participants were older than non-infested individuals (mean age: 63.86±12.33 vs. 54.17±18.71 years, respectively), although this difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.19). A higher prevalence was observed among males compared with females (7.2% vs. 3.9%); however, this association was not statistically significant (P=0.69). Increased frequency of face washing was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of Demodex infestation (B= -1.175, P=0.023).
Conclusion: Although ocular Demodex infestation was more frequently observed among older individuals and males, these associations were not statistically significant. In contrast, increased frequency of face washing was identified as a significant protective factor against infestation. These findings emphasize the importance of personal hygiene practices, particularly facial and eyelid hygiene, in the prevention of ocular demodicosis. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to better elucidate the role of demographic factors.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 120 eligible patients who attended an ophthalmology clinic in Qom, central Iran were enrolled between 2024 and 2025. Eyelash samples were microscopically examined for Demodex infestation. Demographic and hygiene-related data such as Age, gender, level of education, frequency of daily face washing, eyelid washing with baby shampoo or other detergents, having a pet and type of blepharitis were collected and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests and logistic regression analysis. A significance level less than 0.05 was considered.
Results: The overall prevalence of ocular demodicosis was 5.8% (7.120). Infested participants were older than non-infested individuals (mean age: 63.86±12.33 vs. 54.17±18.71 years, respectively), although this difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.19). A higher prevalence was observed among males compared with females (7.2% vs. 3.9%); however, this association was not statistically significant (P=0.69). Increased frequency of face washing was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of Demodex infestation (B= -1.175, P=0.023).
Conclusion: Although ocular Demodex infestation was more frequently observed among older individuals and males, these associations were not statistically significant. In contrast, increased frequency of face washing was identified as a significant protective factor against infestation. These findings emphasize the importance of personal hygiene practices, particularly facial and eyelid hygiene, in the prevention of ocular demodicosis. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to better elucidate the role of demographic factors.
Type of Study: Brief Report |
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