Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

A meta-analysis of the efficacy of combining diquafosol tetrasodium with conventional therapy for dry eye disease

Fengjiao Yang¹, Xiang Li²

¹Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China; ²Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China.

For correspondence:- Xiang Li Email: jeannelxiang@cdutcm.edu.cn

Accepted: 29 June 2024 Published: 31 July 2024

Citation: Yang F, Li X. A meta-analysis of the efficacy of combining diquafosol tetrasodium with conventional therapy for dry eye disease. Trop J Pharm Res 2024; 23(7):1165-1178 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v23i7.16

© 2024 The authors.
This is an Open Access article that uses a funding model which does not charge readers or their institutions for access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) and the Budapest Open Access Initiative (http://www.budapestopenaccessinitiative.org/read), which permit unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited..

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of combining 3 % diquafosol tetrasodium (DQS) with conventional treatment in addressing dry eye disease (DED).

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in databases, including CNKI, VIP, WANFANG, CBM, DUXIU, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, and ProQuest up to June 5, 2023. Thirteen relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) were used for binary categorical variables, and standardized mean difference (SMD) was employed for continuous variables and presented with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot diagrams and the Egger test.

Results: Combined treatment with 3 % DQS had significantly better efficacy than control group (that received conventional treatment alone) in improving clinical efficacy, prolonging tear film break-up time, increasing tear secretion volume, and reducing corneal fluorescent staining (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the treatment demonstrated a favorable safety profile.

Conclusion: In the management of dry eye disease, the inclusion of 3 % DQS displays better therapeutic effects and safety when compared to other alternative approaches. This study underscores the potential of DQS as a promising intervention for addressing the complex pathogenesis of DED. However, its long-term effectiveness and safety still need to be further evaluated.

Keywords: Dry eye disease, Diquafosol tetrasodium, Efficacy, Safety, Meta-analysis