The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of metabolic syndrome and its components with cataract among the middle-aged Kaunas population in relation to gender and age.
Material and methods: The epidemiological examination was carried out in Kaunas, Lithuania, during 2001-2002. Health survey has been carried out according to the protocol of Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular disease (MONICA) study. Analysis was performed for 1,267 persons aged 35-64 years (571 men and 696 women). Metabolic syndrome was defined by criteria of World Health Organization and The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III). Cataract was defined by color photography according to the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS III) methods.
Results: After dividing of total cohort into three age groups (35-44, 45-54 and 55-64 years), relationship between metabolic syndrome and cataract was found in 55-64 years old men and 45-54 and 55-64 years old women: the prevalence of cataract was higher in men's and women's groups with metabolic syndrome than in groups of same the age and gender without metabolic syndrome, but significant difference was observed only in women's group. After evaluation of the relationship of every component of metabolic syndrome with cataract it was established that an increased prevalence of cataract was observed among men with hyperglycemia and central obesity and among women with all five components of metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion: This survey shows that metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of cataract in women of Kaunas city population aged 45-64 years.