Association of systemic hypertension and diabetes mellitus with cataract extraction. A case-control study

The authors conducted a case-control hospital-based study to assess the prevalence of systemic diseases and drugs in 161 cataract extraction patients and 196 surgical patients matched by age, sex, and race. The data were analyzed using matched multiple logistic regressions. A statistically significant increased risk of cataract extraction was found in patients with systemic hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-2.09) and diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.23-2.60). Estimation of the combined effect of systemic hypertension and diabetes mellitus resulted in an even higher risk for cataract extraction (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.67-4.23). A positive association of cataract extraction and treatment of systemic hypertension with the diuretic furosemide was also found (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.02-3.74).