PrcisIn this cross-sectional analysis of UK Biobank participants, we find no adverse association between self-reported oral health conditions and either glaucoma or elevated intraocular pressures.PurposePoor oral health may cause inflammation, which accelerates the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. We investigated the relationship between oral health and glaucoma.PatientsUnited Kingdom Biobank participants.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional analysis of participants categorized by self-reported oral health status. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used. Primary analysis examined the association with glaucoma prevalence. Secondary analyses examined associations with IOP, macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL), and ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) thicknesses, and interaction terms with multitrait glaucoma polygenic risk scores (MTAG PRS) or intraocular pressure (IOP) PRS.ResultsA total of 170,815 participants (34.3%) reported current oral health problems, including painful or bleeding gums, toothache, loose teeth, and/or denture wear. A In all, 33,059, 33,004, 14,652, and 14,613 participants were available for analysis of glaucoma, IOP, mRNFL, and mGCIPL, respectively. No association between oral health and glaucoma was identified [odds ratio (OR): 1.04, 95% CI: 0.95-1.14]. IOPs were slightly lower among those with oral disease (-0.08 mm Hg, 95% CI: -0.15, -0.009); specifically, among those with loose teeth ( P =0.03) and denture-wearers ( P <0.0001). mRNFL measurements were lower among those with oral health conditions (-0.14 μm, 95% CI: -0.27, -0.0009), but mGCIPL measurements ( P =0.96) were not significantly different. A PRS for IOP or glaucoma did not modify relations between oral health and IOP or glaucoma ( P for interactions ≥0.17).ConclusionsSelf-reported oral health was not associated with elevated IOP or an increased risk of glaucoma. Future studies should confirm the null association between clinically diagnosed oral health conditions and glaucoma.
Journal of glaucoma
06/2024
33
400 - 408
New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.
Modifiable Risk Factors for Glaucoma Collaboration, the UK Biobank Eye and Vision Consortium, and the International Glaucoma Genetics Consortium, Nerve Fibers, Retinal Ganglion Cells, Humans, Glaucoma, Tomography, Optical Coherence, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Cross-Sectional Studies, Intraocular Pressure, Adult, Aged, Middle Aged, Oral Health, Female, Male, Self Report, United Kingdom