In the last EduFacts (volume 3, number 3) we summarized a recent study, demonstrating an inverse relationship between high lutein intake and risk of cataract among men and women in the Beaver Dam Eye Study (1). Another study summarized in a previous EduFacts (volume 2, number 13) demonstrated a similar relationship among male professionals (2). This month investigators from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) are scheduled to present data on lutein and cataracts from the Nurses' Health Study Cohort at the 32nd annual meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research in Baltimore (3). This cohort of women constitutes an on-going long-term prospective health study of nurses (NHS). The NHS cohort of women has been interviewed every 2 years since 1977 to determine health status. Detailed prospective information on nutritional intake, including the use of various vitamin supplements has been collected. The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was administered in 1980, 1984, 1986, and 1990.

Results:

Follow-up has been over 12 years. There were 1471 cases of cataract extraction during 761,762 person years of follow-up. After controlling for age, smoking, and other potential confounders, those with the highest intake of lutein/zeaxanthin (highest quintile) had a 22% decreased risk of cataract extraction compared to those in the lowest quintile. The relative risk was 0.78 (95% confidence interval=0.63 to 0.95, p for trend=0.04). Lutein is the only carotenoid found in the crystalline lens and could play a strong anti-oxidative role in protecting lens health.

References

1. Lyle BJ, Mares-Perlman JA, Klein BEK, et al: Antioxidant Intake and Risk of Incident Age-Related Nuclear Cataracts in the Beaver Dam Eye Study. Am J Epidemiol149:801-9, 1999.
2. Brown L, Hankinson SE, Seddon JM, et al: A Prospective Study of Carotenoid Intake and Cataracts Among U.S. Men. (Abstract Number 213) Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research, Chicago, 1998.
3. Chasan-Tabor L, Willet WC, Seddon JM ,et al: A Prospective Study of Carotenoid and Vitamin A Intake and Risk of Cataract Extraction Among U.S. Women. Am J Epidemiol 1999 (Supplm); Abstract Number 125:S32. To be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research, Baltimore MD, June 10-12,1999.