Association Between Alcohol Use and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

PRCIS

In a diverse database ( All of Us ), we report significant dose-response associations between alcohol use frequency and glaucoma, with alcohol use of 4 or more drinks per week associated with significantly increased odds of glaucoma.

PURPOSE

Current evidence on the association between alcohol use and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is mixed. We utilize the diverse All of Us Research Program to further examine this relationship.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study using the diverse All of Us Research Program, a nationwide effort by the United States National Institutes of Health to recruit those historically under-represented in biomedical research. Electronic health records and survey data from the All of Us program were analyzed. A randomized 1:4 case/control ratio was utilized for POAG patients and randomly selected control patients. χ 2 , bivariable, and multivariable regression were utilized to examine the associations between alcohol use and POAG.

RESULTS

Of the 3876 POAG patients, 2015 (52%) were female, 1943 (50%) were White, 1152 (30%) were Black, 117 (3%) were Asian, and 584 (15%) were Hispanic. Alcohol use of 4 or more drinks per week was significantly higher in the glaucoma cohort relative to controls (15% vs. 12%, P <0.001). On bivariate analysis, diagnosed alcohol misuse was associated with higher odds of POAG [odds ratio (OR): 1.20, 95%

CI

1.17-1.23, P <0.001]. In multivariable regression, more frequent alcohol use was associated with higher odds of glaucoma; alcohol use with a frequency of 4 or more drinks per week was significantly associated with increased odds of glaucoma (OR: 1.22, 95%

CI

1.03-1.44, P =0.023). This dose-response relationship was also observed and more pronounced for female participants, where alcohol use frequency of monthly or less was already associated with increased odds of glaucoma (OR: 1.21, 95%

CI

1.002-1.46, P =0.048).

CONCLUSION

In the diverse All of Us database, there was a dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption and POAG risk, which was more pronounced in female participants. Overall, a higher frequency of alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of POAG; 4 or more drinks per week significantly was associated with higher glaucoma risk.