Purpose: To examine the associations of systemic markers of inflammatory disease and vascular endothelial dysfunction with three types of age-related cataract.
Design: Cross-sectional analyses of data from a population-based sample of adults.
Methods: Standardized protocols for blood collection, measurement of markers, administration of a questionnaire, and grading of lens photographs to determine cataract were used. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed.
Settings: Cohort in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Study population: A random sample of 396 persons who were > or =50 years of age.
Main outcome measure: Prevalent age-related nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular cataract.
Results: Interleukin-6 and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 were associated significantly with prevalent nuclear cataract (odds ratio for each quartile, 1.45 and 2.17, respectively). Many of the associations of markers with cataract types were not linear. There were no significant associations between the markers and cortical or posterior subcapsular cataract.
Conclusion: Two serum markers of systemic inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction were associated with nuclear cataract.