Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy Associated with Nocturnal Dip in Blood Pressure: Findings from the Maracaibo Aging Study

Authors

Jesus D. Melgarejo, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
Joseph H. Lee
Michele Petitto
Juan B. Yepez
Felipe A. Murati
Zhezhen Jin
Carlos A. Chavez
Rosa V. Pirela, University of Zulia
Gustavo E. Calmon
Matthew P. Johnson, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Gladys E. Maestre, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2018

Abstract

Purpose—To determine which nocturnal blood pressure (BP) parameters (low levels or extreme dipper status) are associated with an increased risk of glaucomatous damage in Hispanics.

Design—Observational cross-sectional study.

Participants—A subset (n=93) of the participants from the Maracaibo Aging Study (MAS) who met the study eligibility criteria were included. These participants — who were at least 40 years of age — had measurements for optical tomography coherence, visual field tests, 24-hour BP, office BP, and intraocular pressureHg.

Methods—Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses under the generalized estimating equations (GEE) framework were used to examine the relationships between glaucomatous damage and BP parameters, with particular attention to drops in nocturnal BP. Main Outcome Measures—Glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) based on the presence of optic nerve damage and visual field defects.

Results—The mean age was 61.9 years, and 87.1% were women. Of 185 eyes evaluated, 50 (27.0%) had signs of GON. Individuals with GON had significantly lower 24-hour and nighttime diastolic BP levels than those without. However, results of the multivariate GEE models indicated that the glaucomatous damage was not related to the average systolic or diastolic BP levels measured over 24 hours, daytime, or nighttime. In contrast, extreme drops in nighttime systolic and diastolic BP (>20% compared with daytime BP) were significant risk factors for glaucomatous damage (odds ratio=19.78 and 5.55, respectively). Conclusions—In this population, the link between nocturnal BP and GON is determined by extreme dipping effects rather than low nocturnal BP levels alone. Further studies considering extreme drops in nocturnal BP in individuals at high risk of glaucoma are warranted.

Comments

Original published version available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.11.029

Recommended Citation

Melgarejo, J. D., Lee, J. H., Petitto, M., Yépez, J. B., Murati, F. A., Jin, Z., Chávez, C. A., Pirela, R. V., Calmón, G. E., Lee, W., Johnson, M. P., Mena, L. J., Al-Aswad, L. A., Terwilliger, J. D., Allikmets, R., Maestre, G. E., & Moraes, C. G. D. (2018). Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy Associated with Nocturnal Dip in Blood Pressure: Findings from the Maracaibo Aging Study. Ophthalmology, 125(6), 807–814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.11.029

First Page

807

Last Page

814

Publication Title

Ophthalmology

DOI

10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.11.029

Academic Level

faculty

Mentor/PI Department

Neuroscience