Association between dietary intake patterns and pterygium morbidity

Abstract

Purpose A growing body of research suggests the effects of diet on ocular diseases. However, dietary effects on pterygium remain largely unexplored. We aimed to assess the association between pterygium and dietary patterns by evaluating the independent effects of various food groups. Methods This study included 1,219 participants who underwent a health screening in Kamiamakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, between 2018 and 2020. Dietary intake was assessed using a brief, self-administered dietary history questionnaire, and dietary patterns were detected through a factor analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association of pterygium with dietary patterns (tertile) and nutrients (quartile). Results The factor analysis identified healthy dietary patterns, which included the intake of vegetables, fruits, and seafood. The highest tertile was negatively associated with pterygium compared with the lowest tertile after adjusting for covariates (odds ratio [OR]: 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22–0.82). In addition, the highest quartile of vitamin A intake was negatively associated with pterygium compared with its lowest quartile before and after adjusting for covariates (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.25–0.95). Conclusion Apart from the reduction of ultraviolet exposure by wearing sunglasses and hats, which is the gold standard for pterygium prevention, insufficient vitamin A intake should also be addressed through a healthy diet. Careful monitoring of dietary intake may be of value in preventing pterygium in community residents at risk of this disease.