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Posted by on May 23, 2017 in Hypertension | 0 comments

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In a nutshell

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma in patients with hypertension. The authors concluded that patients with hypertension are more like to develop open-angle glaucoma than those without hypertension. 

Some background

Patients with hypertension have a higher resting blood pressure than the body needs. Hypertension can increase the risk of health complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure and has been associated with a number of other conditions. Hypertension may be a risk factor in the development of open-angle glaucoma (OAG). This is a condition where the optic nerve deteriorates and can lead to loss of peripheral vision. A number of studies reported a link between hypertension and OAG. However, evidence to this effect is mixed with other studies failing to find an association between the two conditions. 

Methods & findings

This study included 100,062 patients with hypertension and 100,062 matched individuals without hypertension (control group). Rates of OAG were compared over an 11 year follow-up period.

2.0% of patients with hypertension developed OAG. This was significantly higher compared to 1.7% of patients without hypertension. Overall, hypertension increased the risk of OAG by 16%. This was unaffected by additional medical conditions or demographic status. Higher systolic blood pressure (pressure when the heart is contracting) was associated with a higher risk of developing OAG. 
 
Patients with diabetes were 43% more likely to develop OAG regardless of whether they had hypertension or not. The risk of developing OAG was 17% higher in patients with hypertension between the ages of 45 and 64. It was 7% higher in those over the age of 65. Hypertensive men were more likely to develop OAG than hypertensive women.

The bottom line

The authors concluded that patients with hypertension are more likely to develop OAG than those without hypertension. 

Published By :

Journal of hypertension

Date :

Apr 01, 2017

Original Title :

Increased incidence of open-angle glaucoma among hypertensive patients: an 11-year nationwide retrospective cohort study.

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