Hsiao-Ling Chen1, Hsiu-Mei Chang1, Horng-Jiun Wu2, Ying-Chi Lin3, Yu-Han Chang4, Yong-Chieh Chang1, Wen-Hsien Lee5, Ching-Tang Chang6. 1. Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 3. School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 4. Center of Teaching and Research, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 5. Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 6. Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: cct1118@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Statin is biologically plausible in cataract development, but inconclusive associations between statin and cataract are presented in human studies. Given most early onset cataract (EOC) occurs in regions with high cholesterol composition, we therefore aimed to assess the association between statin and EOC. METHODS: A population based case-control study was performed using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). The case involved patients aged 20-55 years with EOC. Controls were 1:1 matched by age, gender, year of index date, and propensity score estimated from comorbidities and comedications. Statin exposure, including intensity, properties and cumulative exposure one year before the index date were tracked. The odds ratios (ORs) of EOC associated with statin were estimated by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 4213 cases and 4213 controls were included. Statins were associated with EOC (OR = 3.257, 95% CI 2.519-4.211). The ORs of cataract was positively associated with cumulative exposure. Subgroup analysis indicated that the ORs of cataract were significant both in lipophilic (OR = 3.485, 95% CI 2.606-4.659) and hydrophilic (OR = 3.241, 95% CI 1.975-5.321) statin users. CONCLUSIONS: Statins were associated with an increased risk of cataract in young populations.
BACKGROUND: Statin is biologically plausible in cataract development, but inconclusive associations between statin and cataract are presented in human studies. Given most early onset cataract (EOC) occurs in regions with high cholesterol composition, we therefore aimed to assess the association between statin and EOC. METHODS: A population based case-control study was performed using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). The case involved patients aged 20-55 years with EOC. Controls were 1:1 matched by age, gender, year of index date, and propensity score estimated from comorbidities and comedications. Statin exposure, including intensity, properties and cumulative exposure one year before the index date were tracked. The odds ratios (ORs) of EOC associated with statin were estimated by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 4213 cases and 4213 controls were included. Statins were associated with EOC (OR = 3.257, 95% CI 2.519-4.211). The ORs of cataract was positively associated with cumulative exposure. Subgroup analysis indicated that the ORs of cataract were significant both in lipophilic (OR = 3.485, 95% CI 2.606-4.659) and hydrophilic (OR = 3.241, 95% CI 1.975-5.321) statin users. CONCLUSIONS: Statins were associated with an increased risk of cataract in young populations.