Interaction between postmenopausal hormone therapy and diabetes on cataract

Menopause. 2020 Mar;27(3):263-268. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001477.

Abstract

Objective: We investigated whether postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) use interacts with diabetes, a risk factor for several age-related eye diseases.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of women involved in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging was performed. The random sample comprised of 15,320 community-dwelling women between ages 45 and 85 years old sampled from areas adjacent to 11 data collection centers across Canada. Information on menopausal status and HT were collected by self-report. Data on diabetes and eye disease were obtained by self-report of a physician diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression was used.

Results: After adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and health variables, a multiplicative interaction was identified such that HT use for 10 years or more was associated with a much higher odds of a report of cataract in women with type 2 diabetes (odds ratio = 2.44, 95% confidence interval 1.49, 3.99) but not in long-term HT users with no diabetes (odds ratio = 1.03, 95% confidence interval 0.87, 1.21) (interaction term P value = 0.013). HT use was not associated with glaucoma or macular degeneration.

Conclusions: Long-term HT use and type 2 diabetes interact in their relationship with cataract. This novel finding should be confirmed. If confirmed, women with type 2 diabetes should be informed that long-term HT use increases their risk of cataract. : Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A519.

Plain language summary

Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A519.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Cataract / epidemiology
  • Cataract / etiology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Estrogen Replacement Therapy / adverse effects*
  • Estrogen Replacement Therapy / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Independent Living
  • Logistic Models
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Postmenopause / drug effects*