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Abstract #6451 Published in IGR 3-2
The risk of obstructive airways disease in a glaucoma population
Huerta C; Garcia Rodriguez LA; Möller CS; Arellano FMPharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety 2001; 10: 157-163
BACKGROUND: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), defined as obstructive airways disease (OAD), are two common chronic conditions especially in the elderly. Glaucoma is also a common disease in the elderly with a prevalence close to 5% among those older than 75 years. Most medical therapy for glaucoma is given as eye drops. It has been described that small amounts of systemically absorbed beta-blockers can produce significant respiratory adverse events in predisposed patients. METHODS: Population-based cohort study with nested case-control analysis using the UK General Practice Research Database (GPRD). The authors studied the prevalence of OAD in a cohort of patients aged 60-85 years old with a first ever diagnosis of glaucoma, and compared it to the prevalence in an age- and sex-matched cohort sampled from the general population. They also calculated the RR and 95% CI of worsening asthma in non-severe asthma patients among the two cohorts. Incidence of OAD was studied in a cohort of glaucoma patients aged 60-85 years and in an age- and sex-matched cohort from the general population. RESULTS: The prevalence of OAD was the same between the glaucoma cohort and the general population (OR 1.1; 95% CI 0.9-1.4). The risk of worsening asthma associated with glaucoma was OR 1.2 (95% CI 0.5-2.8). The incidence of OAD was similar in both cohorts. Current users of ophthalmic drugs presented with an RR of 1.2 (95% CI 0.8-1.9) of developing asthma compared to non-users in the glaucoma population. The risk in the first month of treatment with topical beta-blockers was 2.1 (95% CI 0.7-6.7). DISCUSSION: The authors did not find an association between glaucoma and OAD. The use of topical glaucoma medication was not associated with a major increased risk of asthma.
Dr C. Huerta, CEIFE, Almirante 28, 28004 Madrid, Spain. chuerta@ceife.es
Classification:
9.4.15 Glaucoma in relation to systemic disease (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.4 Glaucomas associated with other ocular and systemic disorders)
11.3.4 Betablocker (Part of: 11 Medical treatment > 11.3 Adrenergic drugs)
