Cystatin C, other markers of kidney disease, and incidence of age-related cataract.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the 15-year incidence of 3 specific types of age-related cataract as related to cystatin C and other measures of kidney function.


METHODS
Examinations of a population-based cohort (n = 4926) occurred at 5-year intervals for 15 years. Assessment of medical history, examination, and photographs of the lens after pupil dilation were performed at each examination. Protocols for photography and grading were used. Laboratory measures were from specimens collected at baseline.


RESULTS
In multivariable analyses, a 1-SD increase in the logarithm of cystatin C was associated with 15-year incidence of cortical (odds ratio [OR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.41) and posterior subcapsular (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.02-1.50) cataracts. One SD increase in the logarithm of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were associated with 15-year incidence of posterior subcapsular cataract (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.04-1.42 and OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03-1.54, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Increased levels of cystatin C are associated with increased risk of specific types of age-related cataract. Whether the associations are due to the metabolic changes associated with decreased renal function, common genes, or both awaits further research.
Klein
Barbara E K
BE
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Madison, WI 53726, USA. kleinb@epi.ophth.wisc.edu
Knudtson
Michael D
MD
Brazy
Peter
P
Lee
Kristine E
KE
Klein
Ronald
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002386:Cataract / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D055316:Cystatin C / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol; D003404:Creatinine; D055316:Cystatin C; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human