Researchers in Douala, Cameroon, conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the severity of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The study, published in Health Sciences and Diseases, included 91 patients with confirmed POAG, aged 35 years and above, who attended three hospitals in Douala between February and May 2025. The patients had a mean age of 56.9 years, with a feminine predominance of 56%.
The study found that obese patients had significantly thinner retinal nerve fiber layers (RNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) compared to normal-weight patients. Specifically, obese patients had a RNFL of 77 μm versus 97 μm in normal-weight patients, and a GCC of 73 μm versus 93 μm. Additionally, obese patients had a larger vertical cup-to-disc ratio (0.80) compared to normal-weight patients (0.65). These findings suggest that obesity is associated with more severe POAG.
The study also found that obese patients had worse visual field mean deviation (-16 dB) compared to normal-weight patients (-5 dB). This indicates that obesity is linked to more severe visual impairment in POAG patients. Furthermore, the study found that obesity independently increased the odds of severe POAG by 2.74-fold, and overweight increased the odds by 1.85-fold, after adjusting for age, sex, myopia, diabetes, hypertension, cataract, and pre-treatment intraocular pressure (IOP).
The findings of this study have significant implications for the management of POAG in Cameroon and other Sub-Saharan African countries. According to the World Health Organization, Cameroon has a high prevalence of obesity, with approximately 20% of adults being obese. The study's results suggest that obesity may be an important risk factor for POAG in this population, and that weight management may be an important aspect of POAG management.
The study's authors note that the relationship between BMI and POAG severity is not fully understood and may vary across different populations. However, the findings of this study are consistent with previous studies that have suggested a link between obesity and POAG. For example, a study in Israel found that weight loss was associated with a reduction in intraocular pressure, a key risk factor for POAG.
The study's results also highlight the need for further research on the relationship between BMI and POAG in Sub-Saharan Africa. The region has a high burden of POAG, and understanding the risk factors for the disease is crucial for developing effective management strategies. The study's authors suggest that future studies should investigate the mechanisms by which obesity contributes to POAG severity, and explore the potential benefits of weight management for POAG patients.
The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Paulette Jasmine Nyouma, and was published in the journal Health Sciences and Diseases. The study's findings are based on a thorough analysis of data from 91 patients with POAG, and provide new insights into the relationship between BMI and POAG severity in a Cameroonian population.
Key points
- Obesity is associated with more severe primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in Cameroonian patients.
- Higher body mass index (BMI) is linked to greater structural and functional damage in POAG patients.
- Weight management may be an important aspect of POAG management in Sub-Saharan Africa.
