Age-Related Cataract Is Associated with Elevated Serum Immunoglobulin E Levels in the South Korean Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious research has suggested that immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated events lead to several chronic diseases. We investigated the association between allergic conditions and age-related cataracts in the South Korean adult population.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed using data obtained from 1,170 participants aged 40 years or older who were enrolled in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between age-related cataracts and allergic conditions, including total serum IgE and allergen-specific serum IgE levels, after adjustment for potential confounders (age, sex, alcohol consumption, smoking, sun exposure, blood pressure, plasma glucose and cholesterol levels, as well as histories of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis).ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratio (OR) for age-related cataract was greater in participants with higher total serum IgE levels (OR = 1.37; P = 0.044). In particular, increased IgE levels were significantly associated with nuclear cataract (OR = 1.42; P = 0.032). However, allergen-specific serum IgE levels did not differ significantly between groups. In the trend analysis, no significant relationship was observed between serum IgE and any type of age-related cataract.ConclusionIncreased total serum IgE level is independently associated with age-related cataracts after adjustment for confounding factors.

The Relationship Between Immunoglobulin E Serum Levels And Age-Related Cataract

“…This is not much different from the study of Yoo et al in South Korea who get a senile cataract prevalence of 34%. 7 In the group of subjects with senile cataracts the mean age of the patients was 64.00 ± 10.36 years with the most age group being 61-70 years (40%). The prevalence of senile cataracts will increase rapidly with age.…”

Association Between Serum Complement C3 Levels and Age-Related Cataract

“…27,28 Ram et al 29 reported that patients with lower levels of C3 are recognized to be more susceptible to infection. The C3-mediated immune response may be a major trigger of systemic inflammation and systemic inflammation is involved in the progression of ARC 26,30,31 ; we hypothesized that ARC patients tend to be more susceptible to infection, which can cause a further decrease in serum C3. Schaumberg et al 30 reported that baseline C-reactive protein was significantly higher among men who later developed cataract than levels among those who remained free of cataract, and indicated that systemic inflammation may play a role in the pathogenesis of ARC.…”

House dust mite and Cockroach specific Immunoglobulin E sensitization is associated with diabetes mellitus in the adult Korean population

“…Three common indoor allergens were tested for house dust mite ( Dermatophagoides farina ), cockroach and dog. Those with total IgE levels >100 kU/L were categorized as having “increased IgE” 14 , 15 , and those with allergen-specific IgE levels ≥0.35 kU/L were considered sensitized 11 .…”