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Association of clinically significant cataract with all-cause and cause-specific mortality: findings from the national health and nutrition examination survey

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First Author: Y.Chen UK

Co Author(s):    W. Wang   H. Liao   D. Shi   Z. Tan   Z. Zhu   M. He     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To investigate the association between clinically significant cataract and all-cause and cause-specific mortality using a large-scale population-based sample.

Setting:

An elective project completed remotely under the supervision of Professor Mingguang He and his research teams.

Methods:

Data from the 1999-2008 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. A self-reported history of cataract surgery was considered a surrogate for the presence of clinically significant cataract. Mortality data were ascertained from National Death Index records. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for survival.

Results:

During a median follow-up of 10.8 years, 3,966 (19.1%) out of 14,918 participants died. Participants with clinically significant cataract were significantly more likely to die from all causes and specific causes (vascular disease, cancer, accident, Alzheimer’s disease, respiratory disease, renal disease, and others) compared to those without. The association of cataract with all-cause mortality remained significant after multiple adjustments (HR=1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.23; P=0.036). For cause-specific mortality, multivariable Cox models showed that cataract predicted a 34% higher risk of vascular-related mortality (HR=1.34; 95% CI, 1.01-1.79; P=0.044) and an 85% higher risk of renal disease-related mortality (HR=1.85; 95% CI, 1.07-3.20; P=0.028).

Conclusions:

This study found significant associations between clinically significant cataract and all-cause mortality, as well as cause-specific mortality including vascular and renal disease-related mortality. Our findings provide potential insights into the pathological processes underlying cataract.

Financial Disclosure: