Patient-Reported Burden of Illness and Unmet Needs in Demodex blepharitis.

Abstract

Background: Demodex blepharitis is an ocular disorder caused by the infestation of Demodex mites that reside on the eyelash follicles.

Objective: This study assessed the clinical, humanistic, and economic burden of Demodex blepharitis from a patient perspective.

Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study used a web-enabled survey to collect data from US adults with Demodex blepharitis in 2022. Patients with unique burdens, including those receiving dry eye disease medications, wearing contact lenses, or experiencing cataracts or glaucoma were also examined.

Results: Among 113 patients, mean age was 48.5 years (standard deviation [SD] ± 13.6). Half had private/commercial insurance, and 55% had Medicare and/or Medicaid. Patients had Demodex blepharitis for an average of 4.3 years (SD ± 6.7 years) before the study, and 1.2 years (SD ± 3.0 years) elapsed between the appearance of symptoms and diagnosis. Common symptoms, including redness, dryness, itchiness of the eyelids, and itchiness of the eyes, persisted or returned shortly after diagnosis and disease management in most patients, and they were associated with a negative impact on quality of life. Patients visited their healthcare practitioner for Demodex blepharitis a mean of 3.9 times (SD ± 4.8) in the preceding year. Patients were often managed with off-label prescription medications, such as medications indicated for dry eye disease, in-office procedures, or over-the-counter management options.

Discussion: Patients with Demodex blepharitis reported symptoms impacting their quality of life and activities of daily living, which persisted after diagnosis and disease management. This suggested that the effectiveness of the reported symptom management options was temporary and highlighted an unmet need in treating the root cause of the disease.

Conclusion: Patients with Demodex blepharitis were symptomatic, and the commonly used management options for Demodex blepharitis lacked long-term symptom relief or mite eradication, demonstrating a high unmet need in treating patients with Demodex blepharitis.