Abstract
Purpose :
Studies have reported a potential relationship between glaucoma and cardiovascular diseases. Framingham risk score (FRS) has been used to predict the risk of experiencing cardiovascular disease events over the next 10 years for adults without cardiovascular disease. We evaluated FRS of glaucoma subjects and compared to that of non-glaucoma participants in a population-based setting, the Korean National Health and Nutrition Exam Survey (KNHANES).
Methods :
The population-based, cross-sectional survey (KNHANES, 2010-2012) included 3,384 individuals [268 subjects with normal tension glaucoma (NTG), 67 with high tension glaucoma (HTG), 4 with exfoliative glaucoma (XFG) and 3,045 in the control] aged 40 years and older. All participants completed a comprehensive questionnaire and underwent ophthalmic examination including intraocular pressure by Goldmann applanation tonometry as well as a systemic evaluation including, anthropometry and serologic test. FRS was derived from sum of the calculated points from each cardiovascular risk factor (age, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, treatment for hypertension, smoking, and diabetes status). FRS was compared between glaucoma group and control group by ANCOVA test after adjustments for age and gender.
Results :
The mean 10-year risk of general cardiovascular disease (gCVD) was higher in glaucoma group (including POAG, NTG, XFG) than the control group (16.4 ± 9.8 vs. 12.3 ± 9.5; by ANCOVA tests after adjustments for age, gender; p=0.011). Proportion of high risk (>20%) gCVD in glaucoma group was higher than that in control group (35.4% vs. 22.9%; Odds ratio=1.88; 95% CI=1.46-2.35; p <0.001). Analyses in subgroups (POAG, NTG, XFG) showed that gCVD in all subgroups is higher than control group (POAG=17.1 ± 10.2; NTG=16.1 ± 9.7; XFG=23.0 ± 8.1; p<0.001).
Conclusions :
High risk of cardiovascular disease was observed in subjects with glaucoma in this study. We guess that there is positive interaction between impaired autoregulatory capacity of glaucomatous eyes and arterial stiffness of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we suggest special attention and efforts to prevent cerebrovascular diseases in glaucoma patients if necessary. Further research will be needed to reveal which factors of glaucoma account for increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.