Association Between Cataract and Risks of Osteoporosis and Fracture: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the association between cataract and cataract surgery and risks of osteoporosis and fracture. Design: Nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study. Setting: Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Participants: Individuals with (n=57,972) and without (n=57,972) cataracts. Measurements: Individuals with and without cataracts were matched 1:1 for age, sex, and index year. Those with cataracts were further divided into cataract surgery and nonsurgery groups. Incidences and hazard ratios (HR) for risks of developing osteoporosis and fracture were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. Results: During mean follow-up of 6.4 years, 17,450 participants with cataracts and 12,627 without developed osteoporosis or fractures. Having cataracts was significantly associated with risk of developing osteoporosis or fracture (adjusted HR (aHR) = 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.25–1.32, p