Lea Patekar

Lea Patekar

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Lea Patekar


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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28 June 2023 in Acta Stomatologica Croatica
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
IVIvanka Petric Vicković
Ivanka Petric Vicković
LŠLuka Šimunović
Luka Šimunović
MVMarin Vodanovic
Marin Vodanovic
BŠBruno Špiljak
Bruno Špiljak
LPLea Patekar
Lea Patekar
IKIva Krolo
Iva Krolo
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate self-reported MADE during the COVID-19 pandemic in dental healthcare practitioners and identify their possible risk factors. Material and Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was sent to doctors of dental medicine in the time period from February 2022 to August 2022. The online questionnaire included demographic characteristics and clinical characteristics: presence and deterioration of DED symptoms while wearing the face mask, person-al protective face equipment, use of contact lenses, history of eye surgery, current use of medica-tions, number of hours wearing face mask, and evaluation of subjective DED symptoms using mod-ified Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Results: A total of 405 participants were included in the study and an overall prevalence of MADE was 29.1% (95% CI: 24.7 -33.6). The participants who used masks more than 6 hours per day during the whole day reported a higher OSDI score (12.5 (IQR = 2.6 - 29.2)) compared to the participants who used masks less than 6 hours/day (6.25 (IQR = 0 - 22.92); Mann-Whitney U Test p = 0.066). Multivariable logistic regression revealed the following possible risk factors for self-reported MADE: age (older than 61 years) OR: 3.522 (95% CI 1.448 -8.563); p=0.05, and wearing the face mask more than 6 h at work OR: 1.779 (95% CI 1.017 - 3.113); p=0.044. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-reported MADE among dental healthcare practitioners appears to be significant. The use of a face mask for a prolonged duration increases OSDI scores. MeSH Terms: face masks, dry eye, MADE, ocular discomfort, COVID-19, protective face equipment