Mitiku Teshome Hambisa1,2,3,4,5, Xenia Dolja-Gore6,7, Julie E Byles6,7. 1. Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia. mitikuteshome.hambisa@uon.edu.au. 2. Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia. mitikuteshome.hambisa@uon.edu.au. 3. School of Public Health, Haramaya University College of Health and Medical Sciences, P. O. Box 235, Harar, Ethiopia. mitikuteshome.hambisa@uon.edu.au. 4. Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia. mitikuteshome.hambisa@uon.edu.au. 5. School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia. mitikuteshome.hambisa@uon.edu.au. 6. Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia. 7. Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Age-related cataracts are a significant global health issue due to population ageing. More than 70% of older Australians aged 80 or above have clinically significant age-related cataracts. AIM: The study aimed to identify factors associated with age-related cataracts among older Australian women 79-90 years. METHOD: A 6-year longitudinal analysis of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) was conducted on 7117 women from surveys four to six. The women were asked whether they had been diagnosed or treated for cataracts 3 years before each survey. We used generalised estimating equation (GEE) modelling to identify factors independently associated with age-related cataracts. RESULTS: At baseline (79-84 years), 44.8% lived in metropolitan Australia, 67.9% had good general health, 26.5% had private health insurance, 30.6% had cataracts, 28.8% had undergone cataract surgery, 12.0% had diabetes, 24.9% had skin cancer, 56.2% had hypertension, 24.0% had a history of falls, 63.0% had visited general practitioner (GP) frequently, and 48.8% were driving themselves as their main means of transport. In the final model, poor general health [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.14, 1.33)], not driving (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.18), having private health insurance (AOR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.23), frequent GP visits (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.25), skin cancer (AOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.16, 1.37), hypertension (AOR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.21), and fall (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.22) were significantly associated with the age-related cataracts. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic diseases, poor quality of life, driving cessation, and health service use were significantly associated with age-related cataracts in older women.
BACKGROUND: Age-related cataracts are a significant global health issue due to population ageing. More than 70% of older Australians aged 80 or above have clinically significant age-related cataracts. AIM: The study aimed to identify factors associated with age-related cataracts among older Australian women 79-90 years. METHOD: A 6-year longitudinal analysis of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) was conducted on 7117 women from surveys four to six. The women were asked whether they had been diagnosed or treated for cataracts 3 years before each survey. We used generalised estimating equation (GEE) modelling to identify factors independently associated with age-related cataracts. RESULTS: At baseline (79-84 years), 44.8% lived in metropolitan Australia, 67.9% had good general health, 26.5% had private health insurance, 30.6% had cataracts, 28.8% had undergone cataract surgery, 12.0% had diabetes, 24.9% had skin cancer, 56.2% had hypertension, 24.0% had a history of falls, 63.0% had visited general practitioner (GP) frequently, and 48.8% were driving themselves as their main means of transport. In the final model, poor general health [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.14, 1.33)], not driving (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.18), having private health insurance (AOR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.23), frequent GP visits (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.25), skin cancer (AOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.16, 1.37), hypertension (AOR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.21), and fall (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.22) were significantly associated with the age-related cataracts. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic diseases, poor quality of life, driving cessation, and health service use were significantly associated with age-related cataracts in older women.
Authors: Elena Rochtchina; Bickol N Mukesh; Jie Jin Wang; Cathy A McCarty; Hugh R Taylor; Paul Mitchell Journal: Clin Exp Ophthalmol Date: 2003-06 Impact factor: 4.207
Authors: Jessica R Chang; Euna Koo; Elvira Agrón; Joelle Hallak; Traci Clemons; Dimitri Azar; Robert D Sperduto; Frederick L Ferris; Emily Y Chew Journal: Ophthalmology Date: 2011-11 Impact factor: 12.079