J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2018 Oct;59(10):960-967. 10.3341/jkos.2018.59.10.960.

Association between Normal-tension Glaucoma and Allergic Rhinitis in a Korean Population-based Study

• Jeong A
• Cha SC

• KMID: 2422585
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2018.59.10.960

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and allergic rhinitis in a population-based setting using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Exam Survey (2010-2012).
METHODS
The authors selected a total of 8,614 participants aged 40 years and older for this study. All participants completed an ophthalmic examination required for diagnosis of NTG based on the International Society for Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology criteria. An interview regarding nasal symptoms was also performed. The included participants were classified into NTG (n = 604) and control (n = 8,010) groups. The authors compared the groups in terms of prevalence of allergic rhinitis and identified risk factors of NTG.
RESULTS
In NTG patients, allergic rhinitis prevalence was 29.1% (176/604), which was significantly higher than that of the control group (25.0%, 2,000/8,010; p = 0.023). There were significant associations between NTG and allergic rhinitis (odds ratio [OR]= 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12-1.62, p = 0.002), even after adjusting for potential confounders (age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, number, of family members, household income quartile, frequency of eating out, and smoking status). In particular, patients with NTG aged 60-69 years, those aged 70-79 years, and those who were male had significantly higher ORs for prior allergic rhinitis compared with control subjects (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.16-2.26, p = 0.005; OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.06-2.18, p = 0.024; and OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.10-1.83, p = 0.007, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed a significant association between NTG incidence and allergic rhinitis, especially in males and elderly patients (>60 years of age). These results suggested that allergic rhinitis may have a potential role in the development of NTG. Therefore, ophthalmologists and allergic rhinitis patients should remain vigilant to this potential risk factor.

Keyword

Allergic rhinitis; Korea National Health and Nutrition Exam Survey; Normal tension glaucoma

MeSH Terms

Aged
Diagnosis
Eating
Family Characteristics
Glaucoma*
Humans
Hypertension
Incidence
Korea
Low Tension Glaucoma
Male
Ophthalmology
Prevalence
Rhinitis, Allergic*
Risk Factors
Smoke
Smoking
Smoke

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Study population (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [KNHANES], 2010–2012). Confounding variables included age, sex, area of residence, marital status, family number, household income level, stress level, eating out frequency, smoking status, current alcohol use, and chronic disease (diabetes mellitus, hypertension). FDT = frequency doubling technology; AR = allergic rhinitis; ISGEO = International Society for Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology; IOP = intraocular pressure; PAC = primary angle closure; NTG = normal tension glaucoma.

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