A Survey of the Relationship Between Serum Cholesterol and Triglyceride to Glaucoma: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Purpose/Aim: primary Open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is an asymptomatic, progressive optic neuropathy characterized by enlarging optic disc cupping and visual field loss. POAG is a major cause of blindness and is characterized by progressive degeneration of the optic nerve and is usually associated with elevated intraocular pressure. Regarding the fact that dyslipidemia has a relationship with some ophthalmic diseases such as cataract, it sounds that the same relationship also exists with POAG. Therefore, it was decided to study the relationship between serum cholesterol and triglyceride to POAG. Methods: The present study was done on 40 primary Open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients (cases) and 40 healthy individuals (controls). In order to diagnose POAG, Intra ocular pressure (IOP) was measured by means of Applanation tonometry, and then was confirmed through perimetry and ophthalmoscopes. The controls were patients' attendants who had referred to Birjand Valli-e-asr clinics but did not have POAG. After a fasting of 12 hours, blood samples were derived to determine serum level of triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Then, the results of the tests together with the participants' demographic information were individually registered in a questionnaire. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software (version 15) and statistical tests including T-test and Chisquare. Results: Mean levels of cholesterol (211.18± 51.91mg/dl in cases, 162.38±39.56 mg/dl in controls) and triglyceride (165.92±88.58 mg/dl in cases, 99.46± 43.08 mg/dl in control) were significantly higher in cases than in controls. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were significantly higher in the cases compared with the controls. There was a positive association between POAG and dyslipidemia (OR=7.14 [95% CI: 2.3-22.2] for Hypercholesterolemia and OR=16.9 [95% CI: 2.1-14.8] for hypertriglyceridemia. Conclusion: Hyperlipidemia can be a risk factor of getting POAG.

Study of the relationship between serum lipid levels and primary open-angle glaucoma

“…Our results show that high serum lipid levels are associated with an increased risk of POAG. These findings are comparable to those of Davari et al ,[ 19 ] who studied 40 patients with POAG and 40 healthy individuals and found that the mean levels of cholesterol (211.18 ± 51.91 mg/dl in cases, 162.38 ± 39.56 mg/dl in controls) and triglyceride (165.92 ± 88.58 mg/dl in cases, 99.46 ± 43.08 mg/dl in controls) were significantly higher in cases than in controls, as was the proportion of patients with hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. They also noted a positive association between POAG and dyslipidemia (OR = 7.14 for hypercholesterolemia, OR = 16.9 for hypertriglyceridemia).…”

“…They also noted a positive association between POAG and dyslipidemia (OR = 7.14 for hypercholesterolemia, OR = 16.9 for hypertriglyceridemia). [ 19 ] In our study, the mean total cholesterol levels (205.24 ± 36.90 mg/dl in cases, 177.68 ± 22.56 mg/dl in controls) and mean serum triglyceride levels (150.42 ± 49.55 mg/dl in cases, 130.84 ± 23.16 mg/dl in controls) were significantly higher in cases than in controls. Additionally, significantly higher levels of LDL were noted in cases than in controls (139.50 ± 31.03 mg/dl in cases, 114.96 ± 17.73 mg/dl in controls).…”

“…A sample size of 50 eyes for each group was considered, with an anticipated odds ratio (OR) of 7.14 and an α error of 1, a power of study of 90%, and a dropout rate of 10% based on an article by Davari et al . [ 19 ]…”

Assessing factors of endothelial vascular dysfunction in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma

“…Consequently, while preserving its activity, cata-lase may in some way contribute to the compensation of oxidative stress in plasma. However, as we have reported previously, patients with POAG demonstrated intensive lipid peroxidation processes in spite of increased activity of catalase [27,28].…”

“…Because an increased production of superoxide anions in the vascular wall contributes to endothelial dysfunction in POAG, it is important to investigate the factors contributing to increased endothelial permeability in patients with POAG. The analysis of the literature on endothelial dysfunction demonstrated that the problem is still relevant and the mechanism of the development of endothelial dysfunction in POAG is still poorly understood [20,[26][27][28][29].…”