Age-Related Cataract Is Associated with Elevated Serum Immunoglobulin E Levels in the South Korean Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Association between cataract and fatty liver diseases from a nationwide cross-sectional study in South Korea

This study examined the link between fatty liver disease (FLD) and cataracts, as previous research has suggested that FLD may contribute to metabolic syndrome, systemic inflammation, and potentially cataracts. We studied a nationwide cross-sectional cohort of the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2011. FLD was defined as nonalcoholic FLD (NAFLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated FLD (MAFLD). Multinomial logistic regression was utilized to investigate the relationship between cataracts and FLD after adjustment for potential confounders. Participants with cataracts had higher liver fibrosis scores, including the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS; P < 0.001), fibrosis-4 index (FIB4; P < 0.001), and fatty liver index (FLI; P = 0.001). NAFLD was not associated with a higher odds ratio (OR) for cataracts in the fully adjusted model (OR = 1.23, P = 0.058). MAFLD was significantly associated with a higher OR (OR = 1.34, P = 0.006). After adjusting for all factors, the severity of FLD was linked to an increased risk of cataracts, with significant linear trends (P values for linear trends of NFS, FIB4, and FLI < 0.05). After adjusting for well-known cataract risk factors, MAFLD was significantly associated with cataracts. Our analysis suggests that FLD may serve as an independent risk factor for cataracts.

CD4- and CD8-expressing cells in the chambers of normal, cataract and uveitic eyes: A comparative study in dogs

The main aims of this study were to determine whether CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells are present in the normal chambers of the eye in dogs and to verify the hypothesis that uncomplicated cataract may be associated with the local recruitment of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells. The presence of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells was detected in aqueous humor (AH) of normal and cataract eyes. The study did not reveal differences in the percentage and absolute number of CD4⁺ cells between normal and cataract eyes. However, the values of these parameters in AH from cataract eyes were approximately 2- and 3-fold higher than in normal eyes, respectively. The mean percentage and absolute count of CD8⁺ cells increased approximately by 2.7- and 6-fold, respectively, in AH samples from cataract eyes compared to normal ones. The absolute count of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells in AH of uveitic eyes was approximately 5- and 3-fold higher than in cataract eyes. The results indicate that CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells occur constitutively in the normal chambers of the eye in dogs. However, it should be pointed out that both of these cell populations appeared in trace amounts. The development of uncomplicated cataract in dogs may not be immunologically neutral in terms of the local immune response, but it may be associated with the recruitment of CD8⁺ cells into the eye chambers. This event does not seem to be of an inflammatory nature because it appears on a scale a few times smaller than in the course of uveitis.

Association Between Osteoporosis and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Purpose

Previous studies have reported a possible link between low bone mineral density and AMD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between osteoporosis and AMD in a South Korean cohort.

Methods

This cross-sectional, nationwide study included 3496 women and 2789 men who had participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2011. All retinal photographs were graded using an international classification and grading system. Osteoporosis was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between osteoporosis and AMD after adjustment for potential confounders, including age, the body mass index, dietary calcium intake, and the serum vitamin D level. The odds ratios (OR) for other aging-related eye diseases, including cataract, open-angle glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, were analyzed in accordance with the presence of osteoporosis.

Results

Multivariate regression analysis revealed that osteoporosis was significantly associated with all types of AMD (early and late: OR, 1.31; P = 0.017) and early AMD (OR, 1.36; P = 0.007) in women. Late AMD was not associated with osteoporosis (OR, 0.84; P = 0.670). In men, osteoporosis was not associated with any type of AMD. In women, the status of osteoporosis in the femoral neck showed a linear relationship with AMD (P = 0.004). Although osteoporosis was associated with AMD in women, it showed no association with other age-related eye diseases; this suggested a disease-specific association.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that osteoporosis plays a role in AMD development in postmenopausal women.

The J-shape association of serum total IgE levels with age-related cataract

AIM

To address the association between serum total IgE levels and age-related cataract in adults.

METHODS

The study participants consisted of 1052 adults aged 40y or older in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses using the quartile cut-points of total IgE levels.

RESULTS

The odds ratios (ORs) for nuclear and any cataract with ≥267 kU/L of serum IgE levels were 1.75 [95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.04-2.96] and 2.00 (95%CI, 1.22-3.27), respectively, comparing to 35-87 kU/L. Interestingly, participants with ≤35 kU/L of IgE levels (OR, 1.67; 95%CI, 1.02-2.72) also had higher risk for any cataract than those with 35-87 kU/L. The risk for any cataract (OR, 1.48; 95%CI, 1.03-2.13) was higher in participants with high total IgE levels (>150 kU/L), comparing to normal participants.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate a J-shaped relationship between serum IgE levels and age-related cataract.

Association between Serum Immnunoglobulin E and Pterygium: A Population-Based Study from South Korea

PURPOSE

Several studies have shown that pterygium is associated with inflammation, angiogenesis, and fibrosis. However, it should be acknowledged that not enough is known about the association between immunoglobulin E (IgE) and pterygium. The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that elevated serum IgE is associated with a greater prevalence of pterygium.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed using data of 1,548 participants aged 30 years or older who were enrolled in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2010. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between pterygium and allergic conditions, including total serum IgE and allergen-specific serum IgE levels, after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

Participants with pterygium were more likely have increased IgE level (p = 0.009). After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratio (OR) for pterygium was greater in participants with higher total serum IgE levels (OR = 1.63; p = 0.047). Multivariable-adjusted ORs of pterygium across the tertile of increasing IgE were 1.00 (reference), 1.18, and 1.45, (P for linear trend = 0.038). Although the ORs for the upper two tertiles of cockroach and dog allergen-specific IgE were higher than those for the lowest tertile, allergen-specific serum IgE showed no clear association with pterygium.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased total serum IgE concentration is independently related to pterygium after adjusting for confounding factors. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first research that reveals an association between serum IgE and pterygium.

House dust mite and Cockroach specific Immunoglobulin E sensitization is associated with diabetes mellitus in the adult Korean population

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is known to activate mast cells. Prior studies have shown that mast cells contribute to diet-induced obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM). We aimed to determine whether adults with IgE sensitization were at risk of DM. We performed assays regarding serum total IgE and allergen-specific IgE levels against the house dust mite, the cockroach, and the dog on 1,528 adults randomly sampled from every age and gender group in various districts. The total and three allergen-specific IgE levels were positively correlated with fasting glucose level and insulin resistance. Subjects with increased levels of total IgE (>100 kU/L), compared to those without, had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.72 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.17–2.54) for DM after adjusting for various covariates. Further controlling for previous allergic disease did not attenuate the association between total IgE level and DM. Subjects sensitized to the house dust mite (OR 1.63, 95% CI, 1.03–2.59) and the cockroach (OR 2.27, 95% CI, 1.40–3.66) were also at increased risk of DM. We found a strong positive association between IgE sensitization and DM in a general Korean population, suggesting that IgE may be an important independent risk factor for metabolic diseases in Koreans.