Correlation between dyslipidaemia and glaucoma risk: Insights from a population-based glaucoma screening (NCT 05875090)

Abstract

Aims/Purpose: Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, is often associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). However, other risk factors may play a role, particular vascular related parameters. This investigation aimed to explore the association between glaucoma and dyslipidaemia (DL) in participants in a primary care screening pilot. NCT 05875090

Methods: analysis at screening visit comparing the odds of a positive referral between participants with and without DL. Secondary outcomes were medication with statins. Positive referral was defined by IOP≥24mmHg or AI≥0.73. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were used to compare the glaucoma proportions and IOP/AI means between groups. Significance was set at p < 0.05 with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Data from 839 participants (54% male, 62 ± 4 years) across 11 functional units were analysed. Many had low educational attainment (69%), diabetes (81,1%), hypertension (63,4%), and DL (66,2%). Among participants with DL, 7,38% had glaucoma positive outcome at screening. No difference in glaucoma odds was found between DL and non-DL patients (OR 0.782; CI 0.400-1.528), nor between DL patients medicated with statins compared to those non-medicated (OR 2.083; CI 0.597-7.276). Interestingly, DL may be associated with a positive referral due to high IOP (but not disc damage) when compared to non-DL subjects (OR 0.404; CI 0.155-1.055; p = 0.09), but further analyses with larger samples are needed.

Conclusions: Analysing the association between dyslipidaemia and glaucoma revealed a significant prevalence of DL, with 7,38% meeting positive referral criteria. While the study suggests a potential difference in glaucoma based on IOP between individuals with and without DL, this finding lacks statistical significance. Further analyses, including consideration of confounders and biases, are necessary for confirmation. Continued research and clinical observation are vital for a deeper understanding of this association.