ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD CONSUMPTION AND THE INCIDENCE OF GLAUCOMA: THE SUN COHORT

Abstract

Purpose : Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has increased in recent decades. Previous studies suggest an association between UPF intake and the incidence of obesity or cardiovascular diseases. In this prospective study we evaluated the association between UPF consumption and glaucoma incidence in the "Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra" (SUN) cohort.

Methods : A total of 19 255 participants were included (248 288 persons-year). UPF consumption was assessed through a 136-item semi-quantitative food questionnaire that was previously validated. UPF was defined according to the NOVA classification system and divided into 6 groups according to the food origin. Diagnosis of glaucoma was collected biennially through self-reported questionnaires and validated in a subsample. Participants UPF consumption was divided in four categories (servings/day) for analysis. The association between UPF consumption and glaucoma incidence was assessed using repeated-measures Cox regression models to adjust for potential confounders. Crude, multi-adjusted, and sensitivity analyses were also performed.

Results : During a mean follow-up period of 12.9 years (SD: 5.35), a total of 314 new cases of glaucoma were identified. Participants in the highest category of UPF intake (> 4 servings/day) had a significantly higher risk of glaucoma when compared to participants in the lowest category (< 1 serving/day) [HR 1.83 (95% Confidence Interval: 1.06–2.17), p for trend = 0.010]. When analyzed individually, only one UPF group (sweets) was related to glaucoma incidence. The association of UPF intake and glaucoma risk was higher in men, older participants (>55 year) and in those with lower energy intake.

Conclusions : Our results suggest that UPF consumption is associated with a higher risk of glaucoma. Furthermore a high intake of Ultra-processed sweets increases glaucoma risk. According to our study, dietary recommendations including a decrease in UPF consumption should be advised in order to decrease glaucoma risk.

This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.