Hepatitis virus infection and age-related cataract

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the relationships of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to age-related cataract, and to assess whether liver damage mediates the hepatitis-cataract association. This study analyzed data in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010–2012 on 10,037 participants aged ≥40 years. We performed mediation analysis to address the contribution of serum markers of liver damage, high aspartate (AST, >49.9 IU/L) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT, >56.1 IU/L), to the relationships of HBV and HCV infection to cataract. Odds ratios (ORs) for nuclear and any cataract with HBV infection were 1.09 [95% confidence interval (95CI) = 1.02–1.16] and 1.07 (95CI = 1.00–1.14), respectively, compared to HBV uninfection; ORs with HCV infection were 1.35 (95CI = 1.18–1.55) and 1.40 (95CI = 1.12–1.76), respectively. High AST completely mediated the HBV infection-any cataract association. The significant relationships of HCV infection with nuclear and any cataract were formed only by their direct effects, not by mediation effects of high AST or ALT. HBV and HCV infection was significantly associated with nuclear and any cataract. High AST significantly mediates the effects of HBV infections on any cataract outcome, but the associations of HCV infection with nuclear and any cataract were not mediated by high AST or ALT.

Comparison of medical comorbidity between patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma and a control cohort: a population-based study from Taiwan

“…One recent study from Taiwan reported that hepatitis C infection, even without the complication of cirrhosis, is associated with an increased risk of cataract 19. Another study from Korean reported that hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection were significantly associated with cataract 20. The strong association between liver disease and the risk of PACG might increase the risk of cataract in liver disease patients.…”

Frequency of Hepatitis B and C in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery in a Tertiary Care Eye Hospital

“…There are studies where such correlation between hepatitis and cataract has further been augmented by taking in account of chemical markers like Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. These studies reveal that raised levels of these enzymes have positive correlation in the development of cataract owing to inflammation 17 .…”

Cataract and systemic disease: A review

“…Recent studies have highlighted an association between hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) and cataract 62‐64 . Park and Choi found that infection with HBV and HCV was significantly associated with cataract formation.…”

“…Recent studies have highlighted an association between hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) and cataract. [62][63][64] Park and Choi found that infection with HBV and HCV was significantly associated with cataract formation. Interestingly, the relationship between HBV and cataract was mediated by high ALT and AST enzyme levels, which are markers for significant liver fibrosis and inflammation.…”