Abstract
BackgroundPrevious research has suggested that immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated events lead to several chronic diseases. We investigated the association between allergic conditions and age-related cataracts in the South Korean adult population.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed using data obtained from 1,170 participants aged 40 years or older who were enrolled in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between age-related cataracts and allergic conditions, including total serum IgE and allergen-specific serum IgE levels, after adjustment for potential confounders (age, sex, alcohol consumption, smoking, sun exposure, blood pressure, plasma glucose and cholesterol levels, as well as histories of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis).ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratio (OR) for age-related cataract was greater in participants with higher total serum IgE levels (OR = 1.37; P = 0.044). In particular, increased IgE levels were significantly associated with nuclear cataract (OR = 1.42; P = 0.032). However, allergen-specific serum IgE levels did not differ significantly between groups. In the trend analysis, no significant relationship was observed between serum IgE and any type of age-related cataract.ConclusionIncreased total serum IgE level is independently associated with age-related cataracts after adjustment for confounding factors.
Highlights
Cataract, defined as opacity of the crystalline lens, is the most common cause of visual loss worldwide [1]
Previous research has suggested that immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated events lead to several chronic diseases
Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between age-related cataracts and allergic conditions, including total serum IgE and allergen-specific serum IgE levels, after adjustment for potential confounders
Summary
Cataract, defined as opacity of the crystalline lens, is the most common cause of visual loss worldwide [1]. The prevalence of age-related cataract will increase rapidly as society ages; this will produce a huge socioeconomic burden worldwide. The exact mechanisms that lead to age-related cataract remain unclear. Research has focused on the systemic conditions that increase the risk of age-related cataract. Increased prevalence of cataract has been reported in patients with history of smoking, hypertension, steroid use, and celiac disease [5,6]. Socioecomomic status was associated with age-related cataract [7]. We investigated the association between allergic conditions and agerelated cataracts in the South Korean adult population.
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