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Abstract #5800 Published in IGR 2-1
Long-term topical timolol and blood lipids: the Blue Mountains Eye Study
Mitchel P; Wang JJ; Cumming RG; House P; England JDFJournal of Glaucoma 2000; 9: 174-178
OBJECTIVES: To examine whether an association exists between long-term use of topical timolol and blood lipids, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), cholesterol, and triglycerides, among participants of the Blue Mountains Eye Study. METHODS: From 1992 through 1994, a detailed medical and eye examination was performed in 3654 people aged 49 years or older, representing 82% of permanent residents in two postcode areas west of Sydney. Glaucoma and ocular hypertension were diagnosed, and an ophthalmic history was taken, including use of topical timolol. Fasting blood tests were performed in 89% of subjects. Lipid levels were compared in subjects using topical timolol for at least one year with those not using timolol, after excluding people using oral beta-blockers, topical β1-selective agents, or oral lipid-lowering medications. RESULTS: Analyses compared blood lipids of 63 people who had used topical timolol for at least one year with 2597 nonusers. No statistically significant differences were found in any blood lipid mean levels between treated and untreated people, after multivariate adjustment. However, subgroup analyses of men and women separately showed that male timolol users had a mean value of HDL-C 0.13 mmol/L (11%) lower than the mean values of male nonusers, while female timolol users had a mean value of HDL-C 0.09 mmol/L (5%) higher than the mean for female nonusers. There were no statistically significant associations between timolol treatment and duration and HDL-C or other lipid levels. Previously reported adverse effects of oral beta-blockers on blood lipid levels were confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: These population-based data suggest that long-term administration of topical timolol for glaucoma or ocular hypertension can cause adverse effects on HDL-C in men, but not in women. The magnitude of the effect in men was similar to that previously described in a number of short-term studies.
Dr. P. Mitchell, University of Sydney, Department of Ophthalmology, Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
Classification:
11.3.4 Betablocker (Part of: 11 Medical treatment > 11.3 Adrenergic drugs)