title: Metabolic abnormalities in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although there are few data on the underlying mechanisms of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), it has been suggested that metabolic diseases may play a role in the evolution of the disease. We carried out the present study to investigate the involvement of metabolic disturbances in POAG pathogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum metabolic parameters were evaluated in 49 POAG patients without a known history of diabetes mellitus and 72 age and sex matched individuals without glaucoma (control group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the metabolic parameters examined, only fasting serum glucose and uric acid levels were found significantly higher in patients with glaucoma compared to the control population (117+/-17 mg/dl vs 105+/-11 mg/dl, p=0.05 and 6.2+/-1.9 mg/dl vs 5+/-1.2 mg/dl, p=0.006, respectively). Additionally, a considerably greater proportion of patients had disturbances of the carbohydrate metabolism and hyperuricemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that disturbances of carbohydrate and uric acid metabolism could play a role in glaucoma damage and pathogenesis.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Elisaf
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Kitsos
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Bairaktari
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Kalaitzidis
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Kalogeropoulos
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Psilas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D014527:Uric Acid