The purpose of the study is to investigate epidemiological trends in pediatric dry eye disease (PeDED) among individuals aged 0–17 years in Yinzhou, China, from 2017 to 2021, in a retrospective, population-based study. A dynamic cohort was established using the Yinzhou Health Information System. Children aged 0–17 years were included. PeDED cases were identified by diagnostic terms or ICD-10 codes in electronic medical records. Period prevalence (2017–2021) was defined as the number of individuals ever-diagnosed with PeDED. Incidence (2019–2021) was defined as the number of first diagnoses per 100 person-years. Multivariable Poisson regression estimated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among 227,095 participants aged 0–17 years, 14,571 (6.4%) were diagnosed with PeDED. Compared with non-PeDED participants, the PeDED group had slightly higher proportions of males (52.9% vs 52.0%; p = 0.04), rural residents (32.6% vs 27.6%; p < 0.001), Sjögren syndrome (0.2% vs < 0.1%; p < 0.001), and insurance coverage (96.2% vs 92.6%; p < 0.001). Cumulative prevalence was 2.3% in 2017 and 6.9% in 2021, consistently higher among males, rural residents, and those aged 12–14 years. From 2019 to 2021, 8343 incident cases were identified, yielding an incidence of 1.58 per 100 person-years (95% CI, 1.55–1.62). Incidence rates peaked at ages 6–11 years and were slightly higher in rural than urban residents, with minimal sex differences. Conclusion: PeDED prevalence increased in Yinzhou, China, and the incidence burden was greatest among children aged 6–11 years, underscoring the need for early detection and intervention. Further research should examine how age, sex, and residential location influence PeDED risk and care disparities. <Table Float="No" ID="Taba"> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec align="left" colname="c1" colnum="1" /> <colspec align="left" colname="c2" colnum="2" /> <tbody> <row> <entry nameend="c2" namest="c1"> What is Known: • Adult DED is female-predominant; pediatric epidemiology is limited, and estimates depend on case definitions and data sources. • Claims-based pediatric estimates vary widely across settings and may over-represent severe cases. </entry> </row> <row> <entry nameend="c2" namest="c1"> What is New: • In a population-based cohort of 227,095 children aged 0–17 years in Yinzhou, China (2017–2021), cumulative prevalence increased from 2.3% to 6.9%; the overall incidence reate was 1.58 per 100 person-years (2019–2021), with higher rates in rural residents. • Peak incidence occurred earlier (ages 6–11) than peak prevalence (ages 12–14), signaling a critical window for early intervention. </entry> </row> </tbody> </tgroup> </Table>

Epidemiology of pediatric dry eye disease in Eastern China, 2017–2021: a retrospective population-based study

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发表日期：

2025年12月16日

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Qinyi Gu,
Chenxi Fu,
Fangwei Chen,
Yiming Wang,
Pingping Chen,
Li Cai,
Gang Chen,
Wei Chen

摘要

The purpose of the study is to investigate epidemiological trends in pediatric dry eye disease (PeDED) among individuals aged 0–17 years in Yinzhou, China, from 2017 to 2021, in a retrospective, population-based study. A dynamic cohort was established using the Yinzhou Health Information System. Children aged 0–17 years were included. PeDED cases were identified by diagnostic terms or ICD-10 codes in electronic medical records. Period prevalence (2017–2021) was defined as the number of individuals ever-diagnosed with PeDED. Incidence (2019–2021) was defined as the number of first diagnoses per 100 person-years. Multivariable Poisson regression estimated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among 227,095 participants aged 0–17 years, 14,571 (6.4%) were diagnosed with PeDED. Compared with non-PeDED participants, the PeDED group had slightly higher proportions of males (52.9% vs 52.0%; p = 0.04), rural residents (32.6% vs 27.6%; p < 0.001), Sjögren syndrome (0.2% vs < 0.1%; p < 0.001), and insurance coverage (96.2% vs 92.6%; p < 0.001). Cumulative prevalence was 2.3% in 2017 and 6.9% in 2021, consistently higher among males, rural residents, and those aged 12–14 years. From 2019 to 2021, 8343 incident cases were identified, yielding an incidence of 1.58 per 100 person-years (95% CI, 1.55–1.62). Incidence rates peaked at ages 6–11 years and were slightly higher in rural than urban residents, with minimal sex differences. Conclusion: PeDED prevalence increased in Yinzhou, China, and the incidence burden was greatest among children aged 6–11 years, underscoring the need for early detection and intervention. Further research should examine how age, sex, and residential location influence PeDED risk and care disparities.

What is Known:

• Adult DED is female-predominant; pediatric epidemiology is limited, and estimates depend on case definitions and data sources.

• Claims-based pediatric estimates vary widely across settings and may over-represent severe cases.

What is New:

• In a population-based cohort of 227,095 children aged 0–17 years in Yinzhou, China (2017–2021), cumulative prevalence increased from 2.3% to 6.9%; the overall incidence reate was 1.58 per 100 person-years (2019–2021), with higher rates in rural residents.

• Peak incidence occurred earlier (ages 6–11) than peak prevalence (ages 12–14), signaling a critical window for early intervention.