Prevalence of and factors associated with lens opacities in a Korean adult population with and without diabetes: the 2008-2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the prevalence of and factors associated with lens opacities in a Korean adult population with and without diabetes.


METHODS
Among the 11,163 adults (≥ 19 years old) from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2008-2009, the data from laboratory tests, nutritional surveys, and slit-lamp examinations of 10,248 persons (4,397 men, 5,851 women) were examined. Cataract was defined as the presence of any nuclear, cortical, subcapsular, or mixed cataract in at least one eye, using the Lens Opacities Classification System III.


RESULTS
The weighted prevalence of cataracts were 23.5% [95% confidence interval (CI), 21.7-25.4] in a Korean adult population (19-39 years old, 1.8% [1.3-2.5], 40-64 years old, 25.2% [22.5-28.1], ≥ 65 years old, 87.8% [85.4-89.9])and 54.7% [50.1-59.2] in a diabetic population(19-39 years old, 11.6% [4.5-26.5], 40-64 years old, 41.1% [35.4-47.0], ≥ 65 years old, 88.3% [83.5-91.8]). In a logistic regression analysis, age, myopia, and the presence of diabetes were independent risk factors. For young (age 19-39 years) and middle aged (age 40-65 years) adults with diabetes, the OR of having a lens opacity is 5.04 [1.41-17.98] and 1.47 [1.11-1.94], respectively, as those without diabetes, whereas for adults aged 65 and older, there was no difference in the prevalence of cataract.


CONCLUSIONS
According to these national survey data, ∼ 24% of Korean adults and ∼ 55% of people with diabetes have cataracts. The presence of diabetes was independently associated with cataracts in young and middle aged adults.
Department of Internal Medicine, Haeundae Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, Korea; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Center, Inje University, Busan, Korea.
Tae Nyun
TN
Kim
Department of Ophthalmology, Haeundae Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, Korea.
Joo Eun
JE
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Haeundae Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, Korea.
Eun Ju
EJ
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Sanggye Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Seoul, Korea.
Jong Chul
JC
Won
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Center, Inje University, Busan, Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, Ilsan-Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Koyang, Korea.
Jung Hyun
JH
Noh
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Center, Inje University, Busan, Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, Sanggye Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Seoul, Korea.
Kyung Soo
KS
Ko
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Center, Inje University, Busan, Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, Sanggye Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Seoul, Korea.
Byoung Doo
BD
Rhee
Department of Internal Medicine, Ilsan-Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Koyang, Korea.
Dong-Jun
DJ
Kim
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult