Relation between cataract and metabolic syndrome and its components.

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of cataract in the middle-aged urban population and the relation between cataract and metabolic syndrome and metabolic syndrome components. METHODS: The survey was carried out in Kaunas City, Lithuania, from 2001 to 2002, according to WHO MONICA study protocol. The ophthalmologic investigation was performed for 1282 respondents (573 men and 709 women) aged 35-64 years. Cataract was defined at slit lamp using LOCS III method. Metabolic syndrome was defined by ATP III criteria. RESULTS: Cataract was found in 17.6% of men and 19.0% of women (p>0.05). Metabolic syndrome was detected in 19.5% of men and 25.7% of women (p<0.05). After distribution of persons into 10-year age groups (35-44, 45-54, 55-64), the prevalence of cataract and metabolic syndrome among men and women significantly increased with age. A relation between cataract and metabolic syndrome was found for men aged 55-64 years and for women aged 45-64 years: the prevalence of cataract in men with metabolic syndrome was 1.3 times higher (43.8% vs 32.9%; OR=1.59 [95% CI, 0.77-3.26]) and in women with metabolic syndrome 1.4 times higher (31.8% vs. 22.6%; OR=1.60 [95% CI, 1.03-2.49]) than in persons of the same age and sex without metabolic syndrome. For men aged 4-64 years cataract was significantly related to central obesity (OR=1.80 [95% CI, 1.01-3.20]) and for women aged 45-64 years cataract was significantly related to higher arterial pressure (OR=1.98 [95% CI, 1.21-3.25]), central obesity (OR=1.54 [95% CI, 1.01-2.35]), and elevated level of serum triglycerides (OR=1.86 [95% CI, 1.20-2.90]). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that the prevalence of cataract in urban women 45-64 years of age with metabolic syndrome was significantly higher than in women of this age without metabolic syndrome.

Early age-related maculopathy and risk factors of cardiovascular disease in middle-aged Lithuanian urban population.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of age-related maculopathy (ARM) in a middle-aged urban population and the relationship between ARM and the main risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: The survey according to the WHO MONICA study protocol was carried out in Kaunas city, Lithuania, from 2001 to 2002. A total of 1403 persons aged 35 to 64 years were screened (626 men and 777 women: response rate 62.4%). Ophthalmologic investigation was performed for 1337 respondents (594 men and 743 women). Analysis of the relationship between ARM and risk factors of CVD was performed in case-control subdivision matching for sex, age, and education level. RESULTS: Early ARM was diagnosed in 7.4% of men and 5.4% of women. Rate of current smoking in case and control groups did not differ in men but in case group of women it was greater than in control group. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) in male case group and mean fasting blood glucose concentration in female case group were higher than in corresponding control groups. Frequency of diastolic hypertension (diastolic blood pressure > or = 90 mmHg) and obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) in male case group was higher than in control group. ARM was not associated with cholesterol and triglyceride levels in men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Early ARM in middle-aged Lithuanian urban population was associated with current smoking in women but not in men; it was associated with diastolic blood pressure and BMI in men and with fasting glucose level in women.