rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2002;86:424-428 doi:10.1136/bjo.86.4.424
  • Clinical science

Increased mortality in women with cataract: a population based follow up of the North London Eye Study

  1. A Reidy1,
  2. D C Minassian2,
  3. P Desai3,
  4. G Vafidis4,
  5. J Joseph4,
  6. S Farrow5,
  7. A Connolly3
  1. 1Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, and the Institute of Public Health, Cambridge University, UK
  2. 2Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, Bath Street, London EC1V 9EJ and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
  3. 3Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
  4. 4Central Middlesex Hospital, London NW10 7NS, UK
  5. 5Barnet Health Authority, London NW9 6QQ, UK
  1. Correspondence to: DC Minassian, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, Bath Street, London EC1V 9EJ, UK; d.minassian{at}ucl.ac.uk
  • Accepted 26 November 2001

Abstract

Background/aims: In diabetics, cataract is associated with higher risk of death. In non-diabetics the data are conflicting, but some indicate an association between one type of cataract (nuclear) and increased mortality. The aim of this study was to estimate and compare age and sex specific mortality for elderly people with and without cataract in a population based cohort.

Methods: A random sample drawn from a defined population of elderly people (age 65 and older) registered with 17 general practice groups in north London formed the study cohort and were followed up for 4 years. The age and sex specific mortality from various causes was estimated and compared in those with and without cataract.

Results: In non-diabetics (n=1318), cataract (lens opacity at baseline) was significantly associated with higher mortality in women. The age standardised death rate per 1000 was 39.8 and 24.8 in women with and without cataract, respectively (age adjusted hazard ratio 1.7, confidence limits 1.1 to 2.7, p=0.032). This was not the case in non-diabetic men (hazard ratio 0.9, confidence limits 0.6 to 1.5, p=0.782). The excess mortality in women with cataract was consistent for cardiovascular, respiratory, and other non-cancer causes of death. There was no association between cataract and mortality from cancer.

Conclusions: This study has shown, for the first time, that cataract is associated with higher mortality in women but not in men, among the non-diabetic population. This sex effect suggests that women may be exposed to risk factors that increase both the risk of cataract and mortality, and that men may have little or no exposure to these “sex specific” factors. Possible risk factors that warrant further investigation may be those associated with some pregnancy and childbearing experience.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Responses

    1. Submit a response
    2. No responses published

    Register for free content

    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.