The epidemiology of cataract: a study in Greece.

Acta Ophthalmol

Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology & Medical Statistics, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece.

Published: March 2011

Purpose: We conducted a case-control study to identify risk factors for cataract in the Mediterranean Greek population. Three hundred and fourteen cases and 314 frequency-matched controls of both genders, aged 45-85, attending the ophthalmology department of a major teaching hospital in Athens, Greece, were included in the study.

Methods: Cases were medically diagnosed and classified. Controls were healthy visitors without cataract. A detailed questionnaire, covering demographic, socioeconomic, somatometric, lifestyle and medical history variables, provided data on possible risk factors for cataract. Analyses were conducted through multiple logistic regression.

Main Outcome Measures: Cataract overall and by type: nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular (PSC).

Results:   Statistically significant increased risk for cataract overall was found for current (OR = 1.99, 95%CI: 1.23-3.23) and ex-smokers (OR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.02-2.70), history of coronary heart disease (OR = 2.25, 95%CI: 1.43-3.55), family history of ophthalmologic diseases (OR = 1.51, 95%CI: 1.03-2.20) and higher sunlight exposure at the beach (OR = 2.26, 95%CI: 1.37-3.72) as well as at work (OR = 2.03, 95%CI: 1.32-3.12). Use of measures protecting against sunlight at the beach, i.e. hat (OR = 0.58, 95%CI: 0.39-0.85) and vision repair spectacles (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.30-0.65), were associated with reduced risk. RESULTS for cataract overall were also evident for the nuclear type and in most circumstances for PSC type, but were only suggestive for the cortical type of cataract.

Conclusion: We identified certain possible risk factors for age-related cataract. In a Mediterranean Greek population, we found that smoking, use of cortisone drops, cardiovascular heart disease and sunlight exposure increase the risk for cataract, while use of hat and vision repair spectacles act protectively.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-3768.2009.01831.xDOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

risk factors
12
risk cataract
12
cataract
8
factors cataract
8
cataract mediterranean
8
mediterranean greek
8
greek population
8
heart disease
8
sunlight exposure
8
vision repair
8

Similar Publications

TikTok's rapid rise has spurred concerns about its potential to cause problematic use behaviors, which some consider akin to addiction. This systematic review seeks to understand the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of TikTok use within the scope of clinical psychology. From September 15, 2023 to March 30, 2024 a systematic review was conducted to investigate whether this new pathological condition can be recognized as a behavioral addiction.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

ObjectivesThis study investigated the associations between Five-Factor Model personality traits and balance impairment and lower limb strength.MethodsMiddle-aged and older adults (Age range: 34-104 years; >27,000) from six large samples from the US and England were assessed for standing balance, lower limb strength, personality traits, sociodemographic, and health-related variables.ResultsHigher extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were related to lower balance impairment risk and better lower limb strength.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clinical construct that conglomerates risk factors interconnected with cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. More than a thousand million individuals in the world were diagnosed with MetS in 2018. Our objective was to examine the prevalence of MetS and its components among Mexican adults.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aims: To examine the risk of perinatal mental illness, including new diagnoses and recurrent use of mental healthcare, comparing women with and without traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to identify injury-related factors associated with these outcomes among women with TBI.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada, of all obstetrical deliveries to women in 2012-2021, excluding those with mental healthcare use in the year before conception. The cohort was stratified into women with no remote mental illness history (to identify new mental illness diagnoses between conception and 365 days postpartum) and those with a remote mental illness history (to identify recurrent illnesses).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasites that can transmit different diseases in livestock and humans. Globally, 994 tick species are recognized, belonging to three families, that is, Argasidae (220 species), Ixodidae (773 species) and Nuttalliellidae (one species). The current study investigated the impact of geo-climatic conditions on the prevalence and distribution of ticks in Achai cattle of the northern Hindukush Mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!