Purpose
We investigated the association between serum ferritin level and the likelihood of a glaucoma diagnosis.
Methods
Data were included from 15,932 participants in the 2010-2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross-sectional population study. Data pertaining to the serum ferritin level was aggregated and divided into quartiles. Demographic, comorbidity, and health-related behavior information was obtained via interview. The definition of glaucoma was based upon criteria established by the International Society for Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology. (ISGEO)
Results
Participants whose serum ferritin level was greater than 62 ng/ml had significantly higher odds of a glaucoma diagnosis when compared to those with a level less than 30 ng/ml, after adjustment for potential confounders (odds ratio [OR] 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.806-1.758 for levels 31-61 ng/ml; OR 1.608, 95% CI 1.115-2.319 for levels 62-112 ng/ml; OR 1.892, 95% CI 1.279-2.800 for levels 113-3018 ng/ml).
Conclusions
A higher serum ferritin level was associated with greater odds of glaucoma in a representative sample of the South Korean population. These findings confirm earlier work regarding the potential adverse role of iron in glaucoma pathogenesis.
Keywords: 634 oxidation/oxidative or free radical damage •
618 nutritional factors •
618 nutritional factors