Is cataract associated with cardiovascular morbidity

Aims To evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors among patients undergoing cataract surgery. Methods A retrospective observational case-control study of all the members older than 50 years who underwent cataract surgery in the Central District of Clalit Health Services in Israel (years 2000-2007) (n12 984) and 25 968 age- and gender-matched controls. We calculated the prevalence of CVDs and their risk factors, including carotid artery disease (CAD), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), systemic arterial hypertension (HTN), chronic renal failure (CRF), ischaemic heart disease (IHD), congestive heart failure, diabetes, smoking, alcohol abuse, and hyperlipidaemia. The main outcome measures were the odds ratio of having CVDs among cataract patients undergoing surgery compared with controls. Results No difference was found in demographics (age, gender, marriage status, socioeconomic class, and living place) between the study and control groups. All CVDs risk factors were significantly more prevalent in cataract patients in univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association of the following with cataractogenesis: diabetes, CAD, HTN, PVD, smoking, IHD, CRF, hyperlipidaemia, and Ashkenazi origin. Conclusions CVDs and their risk factors are more prevalent among cataract patients undergoing cataract surgery.