Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the relationship between sociodemographics, family history, lifestyle factors and the risk of open–angle glaucoma (OAG) in adult Latinos.
Methods: :
The population–based cohort consisted of self–identified Latinos of primarily Mexican ancestry, 40 years and older residing in 6 census tracts in La Puente, California. Participants underwent an in–home interview, and in–clinic examination. OAG was defined as the presence of an open angle and evidence of glaucomatous optic nerve damage including a glaucomatous visual field abnormality and/or evidence of glaucomatous optic disc damage in at least one eye. Demographic variables analyzed included age, gender, country of birth, acculturation, Native American ancestry, education, employment, income, marital status, and possession of health and/or vision insurance. Lifestyle factors included cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or oral contraceptives (OCP). A family history of glaucoma among first degree relatives was also analyzed. Odds Ratios were calculated using multivariate regression models to identify independent risk associations with OAG.
Results: :
289 individuals were diagnosed as having OAG and 5,624 persons had no evidence of either OAG or ocular hypertension. After adjustment for IOP, multivariate stepwise logistic regression analyses revealed older age, male gender, unmarried marital status, and being a first degree relative to be independent risk factors. For age, the relative risk increased with each decade (compared to persons in their 40s, OR for those aged 50–59 years, 60–69 years, 70–79 years and 80+ years were 2.12, 4.95, 11.32, 18.20, p<0.0001). Males, and unmarried individuals had a higher risk of having glaucoma compared to females and those who were married (OR 1.73, 95%CI 1.30–2.30, OR1.39, 95%CI 1.03–1.87 respectively). A positive family history of glaucoma in first degree relatives was a risk factor for OAG (OR 1.92, 95%CI 1.25–2.94). Smoking, alcohol use, HRT/OCP use were not associated with OAG.
Conclusions: :
Older age, male gender, unmarried status, and a positive family history are factors associated with greater risk for OAG among Latinos. While the mechanisms whereby age and family history lead to increased risk are partly understood, further study is needed to understand the biological significance of male gender, and unmarried status as risk factors.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment