Table 4.
Results of the general linear model corrected for age and sex.
| FBUT (s) (95% CI) | OSDI score (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Between-treatment analysis, comparing Blephasteam to TheraPearl | ||
| Overall treatment effecta | 0.30 (−0.99, 1.58) | −0.49 (−7.65, 6.66) |
| Treatment effect at 3 months compared to baseline | 0.28 (−1.05, 1.61) | 3.33 (−2.36, 9.02) |
| Treatment effect at 6 months compared to 3 months | −0.98 (−2.53, 0.57) | −1.53 (−9.37, 4.80) |
| Treatment effect at 6 months compared to baseline | −0.71 (−2.17, 0.74) | 1.79 (−4.44,8.03) |
| Pooled analysis of all study patients | ||
| Age (years)b | −0.04** (−0.07, −0.01) | −0.15 (−0.35, 0.03) |
| Males compared to femalesc | 2.43*** (1.04, 3.82) | −4.87 (−12.59, 2.85) |
| 3 months compared to baselined | 2.20*** (1.42, 2.97) | −11.30*** (−14.67, −7.92) |
| 6 months compared to 3 months | 0.30 (−0.54, 1.15) | 0.22 (−3.44, 3.88) |
| 6 months compared to baseline | 2.50*** (1.66, 3.34) | −11.07*** (−14.73, −7.41) |
| Treatment effect at 3 months compared to baseline comparing males to femalese | 1.33* (−0.06, 2.76) | −4.72 (−10.81, 1.39) |
| Treatment effect at 6 months compared to 3 months comparing males to females | 1.32 (−0.26, 2.88) | −3.65 (−11.38, 4.25) |
| Treatment effect at 6 months compared to baseline comparing males to females | 2.68* (1.09, 4.23) | −8.37* (−15.18, −1.55) |
FBUT was also corrected for interocular differences between the eyes.
CI confidence interval, FBUT fluorescein breakup time, OSDI ocular surface disease index.
aI.e. Overall Blephasteam improved FBUT by 0.30 more than Therapearl (not significantly).
bI.e. an increase in age by 1 year decreases in FBUT by 0.038.
cI.e. males have an average FBUT of 2.43 s more than females.
dI.e. patients improved FBUT by 2.10 s after 3 months of treatment.
eI.e. males have an average increase in FBUT by 1.33 s more than females after the first 3 months of treatment.
*p < 0.1; **p < 0.05; ***p < 0.01.