PURPOSE: To assess the association between Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) use and glaucoma. METHODS: Self-reported data on the past 12 months of GBE use and the presence of glaucoma were obtained from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, a nationally-representative population-based sample. Crude and adjusted associations between GBE use and glaucoma were estimated. RESULTS: Those who reported having glaucoma were 26% less likely to report GBE use; however, this was not statistically significant. After adjustment for potentially confounding demographic and medical characteristics, there was no difference in GBE use among those who did and did not report having glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study fail to support a significant relationship between GBE use over the past 12 months and having glaucoma, though this finding requires replication in a prospective study. Moreover, whether GBE is efficacious in treating glaucoma patients remains an issue for future research.
PURPOSE: To assess the association between Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) use and glaucoma. METHODS: Self-reported data on the past 12 months of GBE use and the presence of glaucoma were obtained from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, a nationally-representative population-based sample. Crude and adjusted associations between GBE use and glaucoma were estimated. RESULTS: Those who reported having glaucoma were 26% less likely to report GBE use; however, this was not statistically significant. After adjustment for potentially confounding demographic and medical characteristics, there was no difference in GBE use among those who did and did not report having glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study fail to support a significant relationship between GBE use over the past 12 months and having glaucoma, though this finding requires replication in a prospective study. Moreover, whether GBE is efficacious in treating glaucomapatients remains an issue for future research.
Authors: Zelda H Cheung; Kwok-Fai So; Qiang Lu; Henry K Yip; Wutian Wu; Jacqueline J Shan; Peter K T Pang; Chieh-Fu Chen Journal: J Neurotrauma Date: 2002-03 Impact factor: 5.269