{"paper_id":"0f91c4a7-aef2-4573-b8c6-000a5480dc4d","body_text":"A Hospital Based Study on the Attributable Risk Factors of Dry Eye | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article A Hospital Based Study on the Attributable Risk Factors of Dry Eye Ayishetu Oshoke SHUAIBU, Kingsley Nosayaba BAZUAYE, Emmanuel OKPUNOR This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7841959/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Aim. This study investigated the prevalence and major risk factors of DED among patients in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 outpatients aged ≥20 years at the Eye Department of Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin City. Socio-demographic data were collected, and DED was assessed subjectively using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and objectively with Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT) and Schirmer’s test. Diagnosis was made when OSDI ≥35 was combined with either TBUT <10 seconds or Schirmer’s test <10 mm. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with associations evaluated at a 5% significance level. Results The prevalence of DED was 26.5%. The highest proportion of cases occurred in the 50–59 age group (28.3%). Females were more affected than males (2.6:1). Environmental and lifestyle exposures, including smoking and combined exposure to dust, sun, and smoke, showed significant associations with DED (p < 0.05). Urban residence accounted for most cases (81.1%) but was not statistically significant. Systemic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes were not significantly associated with DED (p = 0.147). Conclusion DED is prevalent in this Nigerian population, particularly among middle-aged and postmenopausal women. Modifiable exposures contribute significantly to risk, underscoring the need for preventive strategies and targeted interventions. Health sciences/Diseases Health sciences/Health care Health sciences/Medical research Health sciences/Risk factors Dry eye disease Risk factors Ocular Surface Disease Index Tear Break-Up Time Schirmer’s test Nigeria Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {\"props\":{\"pageProps\":{\"initialData\":{\"identity\":\"rs-7841959\",\"acceptedTermsAndConditions\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":true,\"archivedVersions\":[],\"articleType\":\"Article\",\"associatedPublications\":[],\"authors\":[{\"id\":584722448,\"identity\":\"1245f816-2171-43a8-b6cb-e4a867295f79\",\"order_by\":0,\"name\":\"Ayishetu Oshoke SHUAIBU\",\"email\":\"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABFElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACxgZmJDaDHJBsg/AO4NViANdiTIQWBgYULYkNDAxseLXwz0hu/lxQ8SexgX/xs8+8O+zSN9xubnvwcQeDHN+NBKxaJG4ktknPOGOQ2CDxzHg275nk3A13DrYbzjzDYCyJQwsDUAszbxtIywFjIIM5dwPIEN42hsQNOLTI30hs/sz7D6Tl+Geglvp0A5CWv20M9bi0ABU0SPM2ALXw94BsOZwA1gIMNCADuxbDMw/bpHmOGRu3SfAUM849c9xw5o3EdsPeNgmgfx5g1SJ3PP3xZ54aOdl+/uObGd7uqJbnu5H+7MHPNht5vuM4vC8AFWeTQFUggV05CPAfQGeMglEwCkbBKEADAPfJZuiWS6TIAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"University of Benin\",\"correspondingAuthor\":true,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Ayishetu\",\"middleName\":\"Oshoke\",\"lastName\":\"SHUAIBU\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":584722449,\"identity\":\"7ca7ef05-67b7-418f-8fea-c26f3089f7f6\",\"order_by\":1,\"name\":\"Kingsley Nosayaba BAZUAYE\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"University of Benin\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Kingsley\",\"middleName\":\"Nosayaba\",\"lastName\":\"BAZUAYE\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":584722450,\"identity\":\"0ba44dfd-e49d-471d-b01f-c8a37f410d7a\",\"order_by\":2,\"name\":\"Emmanuel OKPUNOR\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"University of Benin\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Emmanuel\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"OKPUNOR\",\"suffix\":\"\"}],\"badges\":[],\"createdAt\":\"2025-10-12 16:23:21\",\"currentVersionCode\":1,\"declarations\":\"\",\"doi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7841959/v1\",\"doiUrl\":\"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7841959/v1\",\"draftVersion\":[],\"editorialEvents\":[],\"editorialNote\":\"\",\"failedWorkflow\":false,\"files\":[{\"id\":102291072,\"identity\":\"a5ea1987-6e72-4cd9-aa54-c353eec9c777\",\"added_by\":\"auto\",\"created_at\":\"2026-02-10 09:13:21\",\"extension\":\"pdf\",\"order_by\":1,\"title\":\"\",\"display\":\"\",\"copyAsset\":false,\"role\":\"manuscript-pdf\",\"size\":361732,\"visible\":true,\"origin\":\"\",\"legend\":\"\",\"description\":\"\",\"filename\":\"AHOSPITALBASEDSTUDYONTHEATTRIBUTABLERISKFACTORSOFDRYEYE.pdf\",\"url\":\"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7841959/v1_covered_ea752d4b-c466-454e-872b-2deb611ddd6b.pdf\"}],\"financialInterests\":\"No competing interests reported.\",\"formattedTitle\":\"\\u003cp\\u003eA Hospital Based Study on the Attributable Risk Factors of Dry Eye\\u003c/p\\u003e\",\"fulltext\":[],\"fulltextSource\":\"\",\"fullText\":\"\",\"funders\":[],\"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow\":false,\"hasManuscriptDocX\":false,\"hasOptedInToPreprint\":true,\"hasPassedJournalQc\":\"\",\"hasAnyPriority\":true,\"hideJournal\":true,\"highlight\":\"\",\"institution\":\"\",\"isAcceptedByJournal\":false,\"isAuthorSuppliedPdf\":true,\"isDeskRejected\":\"\",\"isHiddenFromSearch\":false,\"isInQc\":false,\"isInWorkflow\":false,\"isPdf\":true,\"isPdfUpToDate\":true,\"isWithdrawnOrRetracted\":false,\"journal\":{\"display\":true,\"email\":\"info@researchsquare.com\",\"identity\":\"researchsquare\",\"isNatureJournal\":false,\"hasQc\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":true,\"externalIdentity\":\"\",\"sideBox\":\"\",\"snPcode\":\"\",\"submissionUrl\":\"/submission\",\"title\":\"Research Square\",\"twitterHandle\":\"researchsquare\",\"acdcEnabled\":true,\"dfaEnabled\":false,\"editorialSystem\":\"\",\"reportingPortfolio\":\"\",\"inReviewEnabled\":false,\"inReviewRevisionsEnabled\":true},\"keywords\":\"Dry eye disease, Risk factors, Ocular Surface Disease Index, Tear Break-Up Time, Schirmer’s test, Nigeria\",\"lastPublishedDoi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7841959/v1\",\"lastPublishedDoiUrl\":\"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7841959/v1\",\"license\":{\"name\":\"CC BY 4.0\",\"url\":\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/\"},\"manuscriptAbstract\":\"\\u003cp\\u003eAim. This study investigated the prevalence and major risk factors of DED among patients in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003cp\\u003eMethods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 outpatients aged ≥20 years at the Eye Department of Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin City. Socio-demographic data were collected, and DED was assessed subjectively using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and objectively with Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT) and Schirmer’s test. Diagnosis was made when OSDI ≥35 was combined with either TBUT \\u0026lt;10 seconds or Schirmer’s test \\u0026lt;10 mm. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with associations evaluated at a 5% significance level.\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003cp\\u003eResults The prevalence of DED was 26.5%. The highest proportion of cases occurred in the 50–59 age group (28.3%). Females were more affected than males (2.6:1). Environmental and lifestyle exposures, including smoking and combined exposure to dust, sun, and smoke, showed significant associations with DED (p \\u0026lt; 0.05). Urban residence accounted for most cases (81.1%) but was not statistically significant. Systemic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes were not significantly associated with DED (p = 0.147).\\u0026nbsp;\\u003c/p\\u003e\\n\\u003cp\\u003eConclusion DED is prevalent in this Nigerian population, particularly among middle-aged and postmenopausal women. Modifiable exposures contribute significantly to risk, underscoring the need for preventive strategies and targeted interventions.\\u003c/p\\u003e\",\"manuscriptTitle\":\"A Hospital Based Study on the Attributable Risk Factors of Dry Eye\",\"msid\":\"\",\"msnumber\":\"\",\"nonDraftVersions\":[{\"code\":1,\"date\":\"2026-02-10 09:12:44\",\"doi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7841959/v1\",\"editorialEvents\":[{\"type\":\"communityComments\",\"content\":0}],\"status\":\"published\",\"journal\":{\"display\":true,\"email\":\"info@researchsquare.com\",\"identity\":\"researchsquare\",\"isNatureJournal\":false,\"hasQc\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":true,\"externalIdentity\":\"\",\"sideBox\":\"\",\"snPcode\":\"\",\"submissionUrl\":\"/submission\",\"title\":\"Research Square\",\"twitterHandle\":\"researchsquare\",\"acdcEnabled\":true,\"dfaEnabled\":false,\"editorialSystem\":\"\",\"reportingPortfolio\":\"\",\"inReviewEnabled\":false,\"inReviewRevisionsEnabled\":true}}],\"origin\":\"\",\"ownerIdentity\":\"fedefd53-754f-48d5-9dd6-3cdc6880fb8c\",\"owner\":[],\"postedDate\":\"February 10th, 2026\",\"published\":true,\"recentEditorialEvents\":[],\"rejectedJournal\":[],\"revision\":\"\",\"amendment\":\"\",\"status\":\"posted\",\"subjectAreas\":[{\"id\":62644231,\"name\":\"Health sciences/Diseases\"},{\"id\":62644232,\"name\":\"Health sciences/Health care\"},{\"id\":62644233,\"name\":\"Health sciences/Medical research\"},{\"id\":62644234,\"name\":\"Health sciences/Risk factors\"}],\"tags\":[],\"updatedAt\":\"2026-02-10T09:12:44+00:00\",\"versionOfRecord\":[],\"versionCreatedAt\":\"2026-02-10 09:12:44\",\"video\":\"\",\"vorDoi\":\"\",\"vorDoiUrl\":\"\",\"workflowStages\":[]},\"version\":\"v1\",\"identity\":\"rs-7841959\",\"journalConfig\":\"researchsquare\"},\"__N_SSP\":true},\"page\":\"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]\",\"query\":{\"redirect\":\"/article/rs-7841959\",\"identity\":\"rs-7841959\",\"version\":[\"v1\"]},\"buildId\":\"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd\",\"isFallback\":false,\"isExperimentalCompile\":false,\"dynamicIds\":[84888],\"gssp\":true,\"scriptLoader\":[]}","source_license":"CC-BY-4.0","license_restricted":false}