Therapeutic outcomes of oral cefcapene in meibomitis-related keratoconjunctivitis: A Propensity-matched cohort study

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and therapeutic response in patients with meibomitis-related keratoconjunctivitis (MRKC) who were treated with oral cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride hydrate, and to determine factors associated with favorable outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 62 patients with MRKC, including 31 patients who received a 14-day course of oral cefcapene (100 mg three times daily) in combination with standard warm compression and lid hygiene. These patients were 1:1 propensity score–matched with 31 controls who underwent warm compression and lid hygiene, based on age, sex, meibomian gland expressibility, and meibum quality. Baseline characteristics and posttreatment outcomes – including corneal staining score (CSS) and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) – were compared between the groups. RESULTS: One month after treatment, mean CSS was significantly lower in the cefcapene group (0.55 ± 0.65) compared with controls (0.86 ± 0.44, P = 0.032*). The cefcapene group also showed higher rates of complete corneal staining resolution (CSS = 0) and greater OSDI improvement, although these outcomes did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Adjunctive use of short-term oral cefcapene therapy alongside standard eyelid hygiene measures resulted in a significant reduction in CSSs in patients with MRKC. However, this reduction was not accompanied by a statistically significant improvement in subjective symptoms.