Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with risk of cataract or glaucoma.
METHODS: We conducted a population-based cohort study utilizing the UK General Practice Research Database (1987-2009) linked to the national hospital registry of England (1997-2008). Incident MS patients (5576 cases) were identified and each was matched to six patients without MS (controls) by age, gender, and practice. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of incident cataract and glaucoma in MS. Time-dependent adjustments were made for age, history of diseases and drug use.
RESULTS: MS patients had no overall increased risk of cataract, adjusted (adj.) HR 1.15 (95% CI 0.94-1.41) or glaucoma, adj. HR 1.02 (95% CI 0.78-1.33). Risk of cataract (adj. HR 2.45 (95% CI 1.56-3.86)) and glaucoma (adj. HR 1.70 (95% CI 1.01-2.86)) was significantly greater in patients < 50 years, particularly in men < 50 years: cataract, adj. HR 4.23 (95% CI 2.22-8.05) and glaucoma, adj. HR 2.76 (95% CI 1.28-5.93).
CONCLUSION: This is the first study which showed that the risk of cataract and glaucoma is elevated in MS patients younger than 50 years, particularly men.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 628-38 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Multiple Sclerosis Journal |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Age Factors
- Case-Control Studies
- Cataract/epidemiology
- Disease-Free Survival
- England/epidemiology
- Female
- Glaucoma/epidemiology
- Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use
- Humans
- Incidence
- Kaplan-Meier Estimate
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Multiple Sclerosis/drug therapy
- Proportional Hazards Models
- Registries
- Risk Assessment
- Risk Factors
- Sex Factors
- Time Factors
- Young Adult