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Abstract #46354 Published in IGR 13-3
Geographic and climatic factors associated with exfoliation syndrome
Stein JD; Pasquale LR; Talwar N; Kim DS; Reed DM; Nan B; Kang JH; Wiggs JL; Richards JEArchives of Ophthalmology 2011; 129: 1053-1060
OBJECTIVE: To identify geographic and climatic risk factors associated with exfoliation syndrome (ES). METHODS: A retrospective study of 626 901 eye care recipients, dating from 2001 to 2007 from 47 US states in a managed care network. Incident ES cases-patients (N = 3367) were identified by using billing codes. We assessed the risk of ES by geographic latitude tier in the continental United States and assigned state-level climatic data (eg, ambient temperature, elevation, and sun exposure) according to patients' residential location. The hazard of ES was calculated by using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: Compared with middle-tier residence, northern-tier residence (above 42°N) was associated with an increased hazard of ES (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.94-2.35). Southern-tier (below 37°N) was associated with a reduced hazard of ES (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.75-0.93). Excluding whites did not change these associations. After adjustment for joint environmental effects, for every 1° increase in July high temperature, the hazard of ES decreased by 9% (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.89-0.93); for every 1° increase in January low temperature, the hazard decreased 3% (0.97; 0.96-0.98). For each additional sunny day annually, the hazard increased by 1.5% (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.02) in locations with average levels of other climatic factors. CONCLUSION: Ambient temperature and sun exposure may be important environmental triggers of ES.
Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, 1000 Wall St, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Classification:
9.4.4.1 Exfoliation syndrome (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.4 Glaucomas associated with other ocular and systemic disorders > 9.4.4 Glaucomas associated with disorders of the lens)
9.2.2 Other risk factors for glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.2 Primary open angle glaucomas)
1.1 Epidemiology (Part of: 1 General aspects)
