Comparison of IOP Response to Topical Beta–Adrenergic Antagonists and Prostaglandin Analogues in African Americans and Whites: The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS)

Abstract

 

Abstract:

 

To compare IOP responses of self–identified African American and White participants in the initial one–eyed trials with either topical beta adrenergic antagonists or prostaglandin analogues.

 

Of the 1,636 participants randomized in the OHTS, 817 subjects were assigned to receive topical ocular hypotensive medication. Monotherapy was initiated in the eye with the higher baseline IOP in a one–eyed trial of 4–6 weeks duration. Topical medication was selected at the investigator’s discretion. After June 2002, participants originally randomized to observation were offered medication and started one–eyed trials. Because most one–eyed trials were conducted with non–selective beta blockers and prostaglandin analogues, we only report these classes of medications.

 

In the multivariate model, baseline intraocular pressure and corneal thickness had a strong association with the magnitude of the IOP reduction in the treated eye (p<0.0001). By univariate analysis, ethnic differences in response were evident, but after adjustment for baseline IOP, central corneal thickness, history of diabetes, systemic hypertension, age and gender (SEE TABLE), no differences in IOP response remained between self–identified African Americans and Whites in the initial one–eyed trial with non–selective beta blockers (p=0.90) or with prostaglandin analogues (p=0.15).

 

 

^{There appears to be no difference between self–identified African Americans and Whites in IOP response to non–selective beta blockers or prostaglandin analogues in initial one–eyed trials in OHTS. Adjusting for baseline IOP and corneal thickness is important when comparing response to ocular hypotensive medication in different ethnic groups.}

 

 

Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled