Predicting the onset of glaucoma: the confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy ancillary study to theOcular Hypertension Treatment Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive ability of baseline confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (CSLO) Glaucoma Probability Score (GPS) for the development of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and to compare it with the Moorfields regression analysis (MRA) classification, other topographic optic disc parameters, and stereophotograph-based cup-to-disc ratio. DESIGN: Longitudinal, randomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: We included 857 eyes of 438 participants in the CSLO Ancillary Study to the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) with good quality baseline CSLO images. METHODS: The ability of baseline GPS, MRA, and optic disc parameters to predict the development of POAG was evaluated in univariate and multivariable proportional hazard ratio analyses. Likelihood ratios and positive and negative predictive values were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The POAG end point as determined by repeatable changes in the visual field or optic disc. RESULTS: Sixty-four eyes of 50 CSLO Ancillary Study participants developed POAG. Median time to reach a POAG end point was 72.3 months. The 93 eyes of 388 participants not reaching endpoint were followed for a median of 124.9 months. Baseline GPS identified many more eyes as outside normal limits than the MRA. In multivariable analyses, all regional and global baseline GPS indices were significantly associated with the development of POAG; hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) ranged from 2.92 to 3.74 for an outside normal limits result. The MRA indices were also significantly associated with the development of POAG in multivariable analyses. In addition, the predictive ability of baseline GPS, MRA and stereometric parameters were similar to the predictive ability of models using photograph-based horizontal cup-to-disc ratio. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that baseline GPS, MRA, and stereoparameters alone or when combined with baseline clinical and demographic factors can be used to predict the development of POAG end points in OHTS participants and are as effective as stereophotographs for estimating the risk of developing POAG in ocular hypertensive subjects.

Plasma urate and progression of mild cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Impaired antioxidant defenses are implicated in neurodegenerative disease. The plasma levels of urate, a water-soluble antioxidant, are reduced in Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to test the hypotheses that high plasma urate at baseline is associated with: (1) a reduced rate of conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD and (2) a lower rate of cognitive decline in MCI. METHODS: Plasma urate was obtained at baseline from 747 participants in a 3-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of donepezil, vitamin E or placebo for delaying the progression of MCI to AD.The association between baseline urate and conversion from MCI to AD was examined by Cox proportional hazards regression. The relationship between baseline urate and cognitive change on the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale was evaluated by longitudinal analysis. RESULTS: Baseline plasma urate was not associated with the rate of conversion of MCI to AD. In the placebo arm, high plasma urate was related to a slower rate of cognitive decline over 3 years, although this was not reproduced in the other treatment arms. CONCLUSION: While plasma urate levels did not predict the progression of MCI to AD, high urate may be associated with a reduced rate of cognitive decline in MCI patients not treated with donepezil or vitamin E. The results support the investigation of biomarkers of antioxidant status as risk factors for cognitive decline in MCI.

Variation in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use across racial/ethnic groups and the development of ethnic-specific measures of CAM use.

OBJECTIVES: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is likely to vary among racial/ethnic groups because its use is related to cultural and health beliefs. Understanding patterns of CAM use among ethnic groups could inform clinical practice and the study of CAM use in a diverse population. The authors compared CAM use among Asian-Americans, American Indians, African Americans, Latinos, whites, and other racial/ethnic groups in order to develop ethnic-specific measures of CAM use and explore factors associated with such CAM use across ethnic groups. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey of a sample of 9187 adults representative of the California population was performed. OUTCOME MEASURES: Ethnic-specific constructs for Asian-Americans, American Indians, African Americans, Latinos, and whites were devised. RESULTS: The authors identified ethnic-specific CAM modalities for each ethnic group. Demographic and clinical factors associated with use of ethnic-specific CAM differed from the predictors of overall CAM use in the general population and varied by ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of CAM use and ethnic-specific CAM use vary across racial/ethnic groups. Evaluation of CAM use in ethnically diverse populations should recognize ethnic-specific modalities and variation across ethnicity.

African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES): II. Ancestry differences in optic disc, retinal nerve fiber layer, and macular structure in healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To define differences in optic disc, retinal nerve fiber layer, and macular structure between healthy participants of African (AD) and European descent (ED) using quantitative imaging techniques in the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES). METHODS: Reliable images were obtained using stereoscopic photography, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (Heidelberg retina tomography [HRT]), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for 648 healthy subjects in ADAGES. Findings were compared and adjusted for age, optic disc area, and reference plane height where appropriate. RESULTS: The AD participants had significantly greater optic disc area on HRT (2.06 mm(2); P < .001) and OCT (2.47 mm(2); P < .001) and a deeper HRT cup depth than the ED group (P < .001). Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was greater in the AD group except within the temporal region, where it was significantly thinner. Central macular thickness and volume were less in the AD group. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the variations in optic nerve morphologic characteristics between the AD and ED groups are due to differences in disc area. However, differences remain in HRT cup depth, OCT macular thickness and volume, and OCT retinal nerve fiber layer thickness independent of these variables. These differences should be considered in the determination of disease status.

African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES): III. Ancestry differences in visual function in healthy eyes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in visual function between the healthy eyes of people of African (AD) and European descent (ED). METHODS: Visual function was assessed in 393 AD and 367 ED participants selected from the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study and the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study. Participants had normal appearance of the optic disc and intraocular pressure of less than 22 mm Hg. Each participant had 2 reliable 24-2 standard automated perimetry tests, and most had short-wavelength automated perimetry and frequency-doubling technology tests. The generalized estimating equation was used to adjust for intereye correlations. Results were adjusted for age, vertical cup-disc ratio, disc size, central corneal thickness, and presence of high blood pressure. RESULTS: The AD participants were younger (mean [SD] age, 46.2 [13.2] years) than the ED participants (age, 49.5 [16.6] years) (P = .003). The AD participants had worse mean deviation and pattern standard deviation and more points triggered as abnormal on the total and pattern deviation plots compared with ED participants on all tests (P < .05). A larger percentage of AD participants had confirmed abnormal glaucoma hemifield test results on standard automated perimetry only. CONCLUSIONS: People of AD have significantly worse performance than people of ED on all tests of visual function. Additional research using longitudinal data is needed to determine the cause of these small but significant ancestry differences in visual function.

The African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES): design and baseline data.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors accounting for differences in glaucoma onset and rate of progression between individuals of African descent and European descent. DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter observational cohort study of 1221 participants of African descent and European descent with no glaucoma (normal), suspected glaucoma, and glaucoma. Six hundred eighty-six patient participants in the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study will be followed up longitudinally. Four hundred thirty-six participants of European descent from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study (DIGS) were also included. Baseline demographics, visual function (standard automated perimetry, short-wavelength automated perimetry, frequency doubling technology perimetry), optic nerve structure (retina tomography, optical coherence tomography), clinical status, and risk factors were measured. RESULTS: Individuals of African descent had (1) thinner corneas (P < .001) across all diagnostic groups, (2) a higher percentage of reported diabetes mellitus (P < .001) and high blood pressure (P < .001) and a lower percentage of reported heart disease (P = .001), and (3) worse pattern standard deviation for standard automated perimetry fields overall (P = .001) and within normal limits (P = .01) than individuals of European descent. No differences were present for mean intraocular pressure (P = .79). CONCLUSIONS: Significant baseline differences were found in a number of clinical findings between persons of African descent compared with European descent. Longitudinal data from the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study will be important for determining which baseline features are important and predictive for accurate diagnosis and follow-up in this high-risk group. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00221923.