Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and cataract extraction in women Methods: We examined the association between alcohol consumption and cataract extraction in a population–based cohort of 34,722 women. Detailed information about diet and life–style factors was obtained through a self–administered questionnaire. During follow–up between September 1997 and June 2002, 2118 women had a cataract extraction. Analysis were performed using Cox proportional hazard models Results: We observed a 17% increased risk for cataract extraction among current drinkers compared to non drinkers (RR1.17, CI 1.04–1.31), after adjustment for possible confounders (age, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, steroid medication, education, body mass index, and antioxidant supplementation). The relative risk for cataract extraction increased with increasing alcohol consumption. The risk was more pronounced in smokers. Among women drinking more than 1 glass of wine (13 gram alcohol) per day and smoking >15 pack–years of cigarettes, the relative risk for cataract extraction was 1.60 (95% CI 1.14–2.24) Conclusions: Alcohol consumption among women was associated with a moderately increased risk of cataract extraction, especially among smokers
Keywords: cataract • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment