Cataracts and Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis in Older Adults　― A Cross-Sectional Study of the HEIJO-KYO Cohort

• Published in: Circulation Journal Vol. 83; no. 10; pp. 2044 - 2048
• Main Authors: Yoshikawa, Tadanobu, Obayashi, Kenji, Miyata, Kimie, Nishi, Tomo, Ueda, Tetsuo, Kurumatani, Norio, Saeki, Keigo, Ogata, Nahoko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Japanese Circulation Society 25.09.2019
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis; Carotid intima-media thickness; Cataracts; Circadian rhythm; Epidemiology; Cataracts; Circadian rhythm; Epidemiology; Atherosclerosis; Carotid intima-media thickness
• ISSN: 1346-9843; 1347-4820
• DOI: 10.1253/circj.CJ-19-0118

Background:Decreased light reception because of cataracts leads to potential circadian misalignment, resulting in exacerbation of atherosclerosis; however, little is known about the association between cataracts and atherosclerosis in populations.Methods and Results:In this cross-sectional study, cataracts were graded using slit lamp biomicroscopy with the Lens Opacities Classification System III and carotid atherosclerosis was assessed based on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) measured using ultrasonography of the common carotid artery in 442 elderly participants (mean age, 70.0 years). Cataract was defined as nuclear cataract grade ≥3.0, cortical cataract grade ≥2.0, or posterior subcapsular cataract grade ≥2.0 in both eyes. The mean and maximal carotid IMT was 0.86±0.15 mm and 1.07±0.29 mm, respectively. In multivariable analysis adjusted for potential confounders, the mean and maximal carotid IMT were significantly greater in the cataract group than in the non-cataract group by 0.04 mm (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.01–0.06) and 0.07 mm (95% CI, 0.01–0.12), respectively. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders revealed a significantly higher odds ratio for carotid atherosclerosis (maximal carotid IMT ≥1.1 mm) in the cataract group than in the non-cataract group (odds ratio, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.14–2.78).Conclusions:Cataracts may be independently associated with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in the elderly population, indicating a need for further prospective studies.