Exploring Associations between Race/Ethnicity and Glaucoma Prevalence in a Multicenter Brazilian Study: The ELSA-Brasil
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Purpose: Previous research indicates a higher prevalence of glaucoma in Black individuals of African descent. However, the association between race and glaucoma in Brazil's multiracial population remains underexplored. This study examines this association and seeks to identify preventable factors potentially influencing prevalence differences among racial groups in Brazil, should such difference be found. Methods: ), Asian, or Indigenous and completed an ophthalmological questionnaire including their self-reported glaucoma status (yes or no). Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) with robust SEs and adjustments for sociodemographic characteristics and the presence of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Results: The prevalence of glaucoma was 5.8% in Black (86/1483), 3.8% in mixed race (101/2688), 3.8% in indigenous (4/106), 3.5% in Asian (10/288), and 2.4% in White (145/6131) populations. Compared with Whites, Blacks and mixed-race individuals were younger. Age-adjusted prevalence was 175% higher in Black individuals (PR=2.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.12, 3.56) and 85% higher in mixed-race individuals (PR=1.85, 95% CI: 1.44, 2.36) compared with Whites. The strength of these associations was reduced in models including the comorbidities of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, which are more prevalent in Black and mixed-race individuals. Conclusions: Our results reveal a higher prevalence of self-reported glaucoma in non-White groups, especially among Black and mixed-race individuals. Although causality cannot be conclusively established, our data suggest that the increased prevalence of glaucoma in these groups, compared with their White peers, is partially influenced by preventable health conditions.
Source: Ethnicity & Disease
Institutions: Universidade Federal da Bahia, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Universidade de Fortaleza, Universidade de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Complexo Hospitalar Universitário Professor Edgard Santos
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4408493452