Age-related cataract is associated with type 2 diabetes and statin use.
OBJECTIVE
Diabetes has been shown to be a risk factor for age-related (AR) cataract. As statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are now commonly prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes, their impact on AR cataract prevalence should be considered. This study determines associations between AR cataract, type 2 diabetes, and reported statin use in a large optometric clinic population.


METHODS
In all, 6397 patient files (ages <1-93 years) were reviewed. Overall prevalence of statin use was calculated for patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 452) and without diabetes (n = 5884). Multivariable logistic regression analysis for AR cataract was performed controlling for patient sex, smoking, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and statin use.


RESULTS
The prevalence of statin use (in patients aged >38 years) was 56% for those with type 2 diabetes and 16% for those without diabetes. Type 2 diabetes was significantly associated with nuclear sclerosis (OR = 1.62, 1.14-2.29) and cortical cataract (OR = 1.37, 1.02-1.83). Statin use was associated with nuclear sclerosis (OR = 1.48, 1.09-2.00) and posterior subcapsular cataract (OR = 1.48, 1.07-2.04). The 50% probability of cataract in statin users occurred at age 51.7 and 54.9 years in patients with type 2 diabetes and without diabetes, respectively. In non-statin users, it was significantly later at age 55.1 and 57.3 years for patients with type 2 diabetes and without diabetes, respectively (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In this population, statin use was substantially higher in patients with type 2 diabetes and was associated with AR cataracts. Further long-term study is warranted to recommend monitoring of crystalline lenses in patients with type 2 diabetes benefiting from statins.
School of Optometry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Carolyn M
CM
Machan
Patricia K
PK
Hrynchak
Elizabeth L
EL
Irving
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors