title: Identification of metabolic risk factors for posterior subcapsular cataract.
abstract: To determine the possible role of glucose and lipid metabolism in the formation of cataract in elderly people we studied 463 patients undergoing cataract extraction. Of 188 males, 35 (19%) had posterior subcapsular cataract (group 1), 27 (14%) had cortical cataract (group 2), and 24 (13%) had nuclear cataract (group 3). Of 275 females, 27 (10%) belonged to group 1, 44 (16%) to group 2, and 33 (12%) to group 3. Patients in group 1 were significantly younger than those of group 2 and 3. In addition, patients in group 1 had higher concentrations of fasting serum triglycerides than patients of group 2 or 3. No difference in mean concentrations of serum cholesterol was observed between the different groups. However, fasting plasma glucose concentrations were higher in group 1 patients than in those of group 2 or 3. Patients in group 1 had a higher 'Broca index' than those in group 2 or 3, with the exception of males in group 3. These results suggest that the association of hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia and obesity favors the formation of a specific morphologic type of lens opacity, posterior subcapsular cataract, occurring at an early age. They imply the possibility of effective modes of preventive therapy for a subgroup of patients with 'senile' cataract.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D012306:Risk; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol