Association between rheumatic diseases and glaucoma risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 5.7 million individuals.
Xu-Lu Zhang, Yi Cai, Zhi-Qiang Zhang
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined glaucoma occurrence and risk among people with rheumatic diseases (RD), drawing on 18 studies with 5,766,143 participants. The pooled incidence of glaucoma in patients with RD was 4% (rate = 0.04; 95% CI, 0.03-0.06; P < 0.001). Compared with the general population, RD was associated with higher glaucoma risk (OR = 1.66; 95% CI, 1.15-2.40; P = 0.007). Estimates varied by study design, ranging from 3% in cohort studies to 9% in case-control studies.
Key findings
- Across 18 studies, pooled glaucoma incidence among patients with RD was 4% (rate = 0.04; 95% CI, 0.03-0.06; P < 0.001).
- Compared with the general population, people with RD had higher glaucoma risk (OR = 1.66; 95% CI, 1.15-2.40; P = 0.007).
- Incidence/prevalence estimates differed by design: 3% in cohort studies, 9% in case-control studies, and 8% in cross-sectional studies.
Why it matters
The pooled association suggests glaucoma may be an important comorbidity to consider in people with rheumatic diseases. Awareness of this elevated risk can inform clinical assessment and discussion of eye health, while the variation across study designs underscores the need to interpret the pooled estimates cautiously.
What to keep in mind
The pooled estimates varied by study design, and the abstract does not report disease-specific risks or explain the sources of between-study variation.