Comparison of Different Nutritional and Lifestyle Factors between Glaucoma Patients and an Age-Matched Normal Population

Abstract

Purpose To compare nutritional and lifestyle factors between glaucoma patients and an age-matched control group.

Methods One hundred and ninety (190) glaucoma patients were enrolled in this study. The control group comprised 97 age-matched participants. Data on physical activity, nicotine smoking, and several nutritional habits like coffee and alcohol consumption as well as high-salt and high-protein intake were collected using a standardised questionnaire.

Results Age and gender were not statistically significantly different between the groups. There was a tendency for higher physical activity in the glaucoma group in comparison to the control group (47.3 vs. 35.4%; p = 0.056). Statistically significantly more glaucoma patients were nonsmokers (n = 169; 89.4%) compared to the control group (n = 64; 66.7%; p = 0.001). Glaucoma patients were also more often teetotal compared to the control group (21.6% compared to 14.4%; p < 0.001). Similarly, more glaucoma patients drank larger amounts of coffee in comparison to the control group (p = 0.001). One hundred and seventy-six (96.7%) glaucoma patients and 88 (90.7%) control subjects had high-protein intake (p = 0.035). High-salt intake was significantly lower in the glaucoma group (69.3 vs. 73.2%; p = 0.018). Of the 190 glaucoma patients, 81 had early visual field impairments (MD > − 6 dB) and 109 patients had moderate (MD between − 6 dB and − 12 dB) to severe (MD < − 12 dB) visual field defects. The severity of visual field defects, whether early, moderate, or severe, had no statistically significant impact on lifestyle parameters.

Conclusion Contrary to our original hypothesis that glaucoma patients would tend to follow an unhealthier lifestyle than the control group, the opposite was seen. Presumably, the cause of this healthier lifestyle is the desire to contribute positively through the course of the disease.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Das Ziel der Studie war es, verschiedene Ernährungs- und Lifestylefaktoren zwischen Glaukompatienten und einer altersentsprechenden Kontrollgruppe zu vergleichen.

Patienten und Methoden 190 Glaukompatienten wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Die Kontrollgruppe umfasste 97 altersentsprechende Teilnehmer. Daten zur körperlichen Aktivität, zum Rauchverhalten, Ernährungsgewohnheiten wie Kaffee- und Alkoholkonsum sowie hoher Salz- und Eiweißkonsum wurden mittels Fragebogen erhoben.

Ergebnisse Alter und Geschlecht unterschieden sich in beiden Gruppen nicht statistisch signifikant. Das körperliche Aktivitätslevel war in der Glaukomgruppe tendenziell höher als in der Kontrollgruppe (47,3 vs. 35,4%; p = 0,056). Statistisch signifikant mehr Glaukompatienten waren Nichtraucher (n = 169; 89,4%) im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe (n = 64; 66,7%; p = 0,001). Glaukompatienten waren häufiger abstinent im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe (21,6 vs. 14,4%; p < 0,001) und tranken mehr Kaffee (p = 0,001). 176 (96,7%) der Glaukompatienten und 88 (90,7%) Teilnehmer der Kontrollgruppe gaben einen hohen Eiweißkonsum an (p = 0,035). Hoher Salzkonsum war in der Glaukomgruppe signifikant niedriger als in der Kontrollgruppe (69,3 vs. 73,2%; p = 0,018). In der Glaukomgruppe (n = 190) hatten 81 beginnende Gesichtsfeldeinschränkungen (Mean Deviation, MD > – 6 dB) und 109 Patienten hatten moderate (MD zwischen – 6 dB und – 12 dB) bis schwere (MD < – 12 dB) Gesichtsfelddefekte. Die Schwere der Gesichtsfelddefekte (beginnend, moderat oder schwer) hatte keinen statistisch signifikanten Einfluss auf die Lifestylefaktoren.

Schlussfolgerung Entgegen unserer ursprünglichen Annahme, dass Glaukompatienten zu einem ungesünderen Lifestyle tendieren als eine altersentsprechende Kontrollgruppe, konnte genau das Umgekehrte beobachtet werden. Vermutlich ist die Ursache des gesünderen Lifestyles der Wunsch nach einer positiven Beeinflussung des Krankheitsverlaufs, welcher insbesondere durch Risikofaktoren wie Nikotinabusus provoziert werden könnte.

Key words

open-angle glaucoma - lifestyle factors - physical activity - smoking - alcohol consumption - nutritional habits

Schlüsselwörter

Offenwinkelglaukom - Lifestylefaktoren - körperliche Aktivität - Rauchen - Alkoholkonsum - Ernährungsgewohnheiten

Publication History

Received: 10 October 2020

Accepted: 16 February 2021

Article published online:
14 April 2021

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