Glaucoma and cognitive function trajectories in a population-based study: Findings from the health and retirement study.

TitleGlaucoma and cognitive function trajectories in a population-based study: Findings from the health and retirement study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsKolli, A, Kabeto, M, McCammon, R, Langa, KM, Ehrlich, JR
JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society
Volume70
Issue10
Pagination2827-2837
ISSN Number1532-5415
Keywordscognitive function, Glaucoma, Ophthalmology, vision
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Prior studies on the association of glaucoma and cognitive function have reported mixed results.

METHODS: The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is a nationally representative panel survey of Americans age ≥ 51 years. HRS-linked Medicare claims data were used to identify incident glaucoma cases (by glaucoma type). Cognitive function was measured using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS), administered in each wave (every 2 years). Separate linear mixed models were fitted with either prevalent or incident glaucoma as a predictor of TICS trajectories and adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, gender, and medical history. Negative model estimates indicate associations of glaucoma with worse cognitive function scores or steeper per-year declines in cognitive function scores.

RESULTS: Analyses of prevalent glaucoma cases included 1344 cases and 5729 controls. Analyses of incident glaucoma included 886 cases and 4385 controls. In fully-adjusted models, those with prevalent glaucoma had similar TICS scores to controls (β = 0.01; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -0.15, 0.18; p = 0.86). However, in those with incident glaucoma, we detected a statistically significant association between glaucoma and lower TICS scores (β = -0.29; 95% CI: -0.50, -0.08; p = 0.007). However, there was no statistically significant association between either prevalent or incident glaucoma and per-year rates of change in TICS scores. When categorizing glaucoma by type (primary open angle glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma, or other glaucoma), no significant associations were detected between either prevalent or incident glaucoma and levels of or rates of change in TICS scores in fully covariate adjusted models.

CONCLUSION: The observed associations between glaucoma and cognitive function were small and unlikely to be clinically meaningful. Compared to prior studies on this topic, this investigation provides robust evidence based on its larger sample size, longitudinal follow-up, and repeated measures of cognitive function in a population-based sample.

DOI10.1111/jgs.17903
Citation Key12502
PubMed ID35730426
PubMed Central IDPMC9588512
Grant ListR01 AG053972 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
U01 AG009741 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
K23EY027848 / NH / NIH HHS / United States
N/A / / U.S. Social Security Administration /