Atherosclerotic disease in patients undergoing cataract extraction: A nationwide case-control study

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-1996

Journal

Archives of Ophthalmology

Volume

114

Issue

11

DOI

10.1001/archopht.1996.01100140607014

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association between cataract extraction and atherosclerosis and its complications. Design: A nationwide case-control study. Setting and Participants: Using a 5% random sample of all Medicare beneficiaries, we analyzed Medicare claims data on 60803 persons 65 years of age and older who underwent cataract extraction in 1986 or 1987 and a control group of 63 765 persons matched to the cases for age, race, sex, ZIP code, and reason for Medicare entitlement. Main Outcome Measure: Atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis-related disease and procedures were defined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, codes or by Health Care Financing Administration Common Procedure Classification System (Current Procedural Terminology) codes. The strength of evidence for atherosclerotic disease was categorized on the basis of the types of bills in the Medicare claims file. Results: Odds of atherosclerosis-related morbidity and procedures were higher for cases than for controls. The association decreased with patient age and was strongest in beneficiaries aged 65 to 69 years (odds ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.48). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that there is a weak association between a visually significant cataract requiring surgery and atherosclerosis in the younger elderly.

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