Abstract
Purpose: :
Investigating a possible link between genetic variants associated with obesity and cataract may validate the causal link between obesity and cataract suggested by epidemiological studies. This study assessed the associations of obesity and genetic variants in the FTO locus, a human susceptibility locus for obesity, with cataract.
Methods: :
This was a population-based cross-sectional study among 3,280 (78.7% response) Singaporean Malay adults aged 40 - 80 years. Cataract was assessed by standardized slit-lamp examination according to the Lens Opacity Classification System III (LOCS III). Any cataract and cataract in the nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular (PSC) regions were defined. Height and weight were measured to obtain body mass index (BMI), and obesity defined as a BMI of ≥30kg/m2. The SNP rs9939609 at the FTO locus was selected for further analysis. Additive and recessive models were constructed for the association between FTO polymorphisms and cataract.
Results: :
A total of 3069 subjects were included in the study, of which 1476 (48.1%) had any cataract, 927 (30.2%) had nuclear cataract, 1012 (33.0%) had cortical cataract and 308 (10.0%) had PSC cataract. After multivariable adjustment, obesity was significantly associated with cortical (OR 1.34, 95% CI, 1.04-1.73) and PSC (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.07-2.18) cataracts, but not nuclear cataract. In the additive model, each copy of the minor allele of rs9939609 was associated with nuclear cataract (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.11-1.58). This association persisted in multivariate analyses controlling additionally for BMI, diabetes, hypertension and smoking (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.08-1.55). There was no association with cortical or PSC cataract. In the recessive model, rs9939609 was associated with nuclear (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.11-2.50, after multivariable adjustment), but not cortical or PSC cataract.
Conclusions: :
Obesity is associated with cortical and PSC cataract while the polymorphism rs9939609 in the FTO gene is associated with nuclear cataract. The contrasting associations may reflect differences in the pathophysiology of cataract subtypes.
Keywords: cataract • genetics