High Prevalence of Demodex Infestation is Associated With Poor Blood Glucose Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Guangzhou Diabetic Eye Study

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and ocular Demodex mite infection. Method: About 381 patients with T2DM from nearby communities were enrolled, and 163 age-matched and sex-matched nondiabetic patients from the cataract clinic were included as the control group. All subjects underwent personal history and demographic data collection, ocular examination, and lash sampling, followed by microscopic identification and counting of Demodex mites. Binocular fundus photography was performed for diabetic patients. Statistical correlation between ocular Demodex infestation and T2DM and blood glucose control status was performed. Results: The Demodex mite infestation rate (62.5% vs. 44.8%, P < 0.001) and count [3 (0–12) vs. 2 (0–9.6), P = 0.01], especially of Demodex brevis (18.9% vs. 4.9%, P < 0.001) [0 (0–1) vs. 0 (0–0), P < 0.001], were significantly higher in the T2DM patient group than that in the control group. The ratio of Demodex brevis to Demodex folliculorum in the T2DM patient group was significantly higher than that in the control group (1:3 vs. 1:9, P < 0.001). Diabetic patients presented with more cylindrical dandruff (55.1% vs. 39.3%, P = 0.001). Ocular Demodex infestation was strongly associated with poor blood glucose control (HbA1c > 7%) (odds ratio = 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.94; P = 0.2) and female sex (odds ratio = 1.69, 95% confidence interval, 1.08–2.65, P = 0.02). No association was found between Demodex infestation and the severity of diabetic retinopathy. Conclusions: Patients with T2DM, especially those with poor blood glucose control, tend to have a higher prevalence of ocular Demodex infestation, suggesting that high blood glucose is a risk factor for demodicosis.