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The association between self-reported cataracts and St. John's Wort
1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama35294-0009, USA.
Current Eye Research
|November 10, 2009
Summary
St. John's Wort (SJW) use may be linked to an increased risk of cataracts. This study found a 59% higher likelihood of cataracts in individuals reporting SJW use.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypericum perforatum, or St. John's Wort (SJW), is increasingly used for depression.
- Hypericin, a component of SJW, is suspected to cause cataracts (cataractogenesis).
- Human data on the SJW-cataract association is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between self-reported SJW use and cataracts.
- To evaluate this association in a large, population-based sample.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey.
- Employed logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
- Adjusted for potential confounding factors.
Main Results:
- Individuals reporting cataracts were 59% more likely to report SJW use.
- Adjusted OR was 1.59 (95% CI 1.02-2.46).
Conclusions:
- Findings support an association between SJW use and cataracts.
- Methodological limitations necessitate further research.
- More investigation is required to confirm the SJW-cataract link.
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