title: Systemic hypertension as a risk factor for open-angle glaucoma: a meta-analysis of population-based studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Systemic hypertension is thought to increase the risk for developing open-angle glaucoma (OAG) through several mechanisms. However, previous epidemiological studies have shown conflicting results regarding this potential association. We systematically evaluated this issue by conducting a meta-analysis of population-based studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive search for articles published before 31 March 2014 was performed using PubMed, Embase, and reference lists. The pooled odds ratio (OR) was calculated using the fixed- and random-effects models, and meta-regression was performed according to age. Subgroup analyses were also conducted, and publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger's regression test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This meta-analysis included 16 studies involving 60,084 individuals, with substantial homogeneity among the studies. The pooled OR for OAG was 1.22 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.09-1.36) using the fixed-effects model and 1.22 (95% CI: 1.08-1.37) using the random-effects model in all included studies. For subgroup analyses, the pooled OR for high-tension glaucoma (HTG) was higher than that for normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) (OR=1.92 and 0.94, respectively). No significant difference was detected between Asian and Western populations, and no publication bias was detected in either analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Systemic hypertension increases the risk for developing OAG, especially in those with HTG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Severance Hospital, Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyoung Won
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Severance Hospital, Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym Hospital, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Naeun
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Research Affairs, Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Severance Hospital, Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Samin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Severance Hospital, Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Gong Je
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Seong
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Severance Hospital, Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chan Yun
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017594:Publication Bias; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People