Relationship between hematocrit levels and intraocular pressure in men and women: A population-based cross-sectional
Eytan Cohen1, Michal Kramer, Tzippy Shochat
1Department of Medicine F -Recanati, Rabin Medical Center Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Rabin Medical Center Department of Ophthalmology, Rabin Medical Statistical Counseling Unit, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Insights
Higher hematocrit levels may be linked to increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in men, suggesting a potential new risk factor. This study found a correlation between elevated hematocrit and higher IOP in males.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) is a key factor in glaucoma pathogenesis.
- Hematocrit, a measure of red blood cell volume, has not been extensively studied in relation to IOP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential association between hematocrit levels and intraocular pressure in a large cohort of men and women.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 18,424 individuals' medical records from 2000-2013.
- Categorization of hematocrit (low, normal, high) and IOP (<18 mmHg, ≥18 mmHg) by sex.
- Statistical analysis adjusted for age, hypertension, diabetes, and body mass index.
Main Results:
- In men, higher hematocrit levels correlated with significantly higher mean IOP (P<.001).
- Men with low hematocrit had a significantly lower odds of having IOP ≥18 mmHg (adjusted OR 0.771, P<.01).
- No significant association was found between hematocrit and IOP in women.
Conclusions:
- Elevated hematocrit may be an independent risk factor for increased intraocular pressure in men.
- Further research is warranted to explore the clinical implications of this finding in ophthalmology and men's health.
Abstract:
To assess a possible relationship between hematocrit level and intraocular pressure (IOP) in both men and women.Data were collected from medical records of individuals examined at a screening center in Israel between the years 2000 and 2013. Hematocrit levels were categorized as low, normal, and high and by sex; IOP values were categorized as < 18 mmHg and ≥18 mmHg.Cross-sectional analysis was performed on 18,424 subjects of mean (standard deviation) age 46 (10) years (68% male). Normal-range hematocrit for men was 42% to 52% and 37% to 47% for women. In men, mean [95% confidence interval CI)] IOP values by hematocrit level were as follows: below-normal hematocrit, 13.3 mmHg (13.2-13.3), normal hematocrit, 13.5 mmHg (13.4-13.5), above-normal hematocrit, 14.3 mmHg (13.5-15.2) (P < .001). Corresponding values in women were 12.9 mmHg (12.8-13.0), 13.0 mmHg (13.0-13.1), and 14.2 mmHg (12.9-15.6) (P = .014). The difference remained significant for men (P < .001) after adjustment for age, hypertension, diabetes, and body mass index. Men (but not women) with a low hematocrit were found to have a significantly lower odds ratio (95% CI) of having IOP ≥18 mmHg than men with normal hematocrit: nonadjusted model, 0.761 (0.631-0.919); adjusted model, 0.771 (0.638-0.932) (P < .01).It is possible that a raised hematocrit level may also contribute to an elevated IOP in men in addition to the classic risk factors.
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