title: Association between body levels of trace metals and glaucoma prevalence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Abnormal body levels of essential elements and exposure to toxic trace metals have been postulated to contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases affecting many organ systems, including the eye.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate associations between body levels of trace metals and the prevalence of glaucoma in a cross-sectional population-based study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood or urine metallic element levels and information pertaining to ocular disease were available for 2680 individuals 19 years and older participating in the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009, the second and the third years of the survey (2007-2009). Glaucoma diagnosis was based on criteria established by the International Society of Geographic and Epidemiologic Ophthalmology. Demographic, comorbidity, and health-related behavior information was obtained via interview. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine associations between blood and urine trace element levels and the odds of glaucoma diagnosis. All analyses were performed between September 2014 and December 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  The presence or absence of glaucoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for potential confounders, blood manganese level was negatively associated with the odds of glaucoma diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.21-0.92). Blood mercury level was positively associated with glaucoma prevalence (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03). No definitive association was identified between blood cadmium or lead levels or urine arsenic level and a diagnosis of glaucoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings in a cross-sectional study of the South Korean population suggest that a lower blood manganese level and a higher blood mercury level are associated with greater odds of glaucoma. For more confidence that trace metals may have a role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, prospective studies would need to confirm that the presence of such trace metals increases the chance of developing glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco2Department of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shuai-Chun
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
authors.forename: Kuldev
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco.
authors.forename: Shan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D001152:Arsenicals / Q000652:urine; D044466:Asian People; D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D017895:Manganese Compounds / Q000097:blood*; D017669:Mercury Compounds / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001152:Arsenicals; D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D017895:Manganese Compounds; D017669:Mercury Compounds; D014131:Trace Elements