Association of vitamin A and beta-carotene with the risk of age-related cataract: a meta-analysis
Aimin Wang Nutrition Available online 12 March 2014
Whether vitamin A and beta-carotene is a protective factor for cataract remains unclear. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the evidence from epidemiological studies of vitamin A and beta-carotene with the risk of cataract.
Methods
Pertinent studies were identified by searching of PubMed, Web of Science, Google scholar and Wan Fang Med Online. The fixed or random effect model was used based on heterogeneity test. Meta-regression and ‘leave one out’ were used to explore potential sources of between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias was estimated using Egger’s regression asymmetry test.
Results
Finally, 22 articles were included in this meta-analysis. The relative risk (95% confidence interval) of cataract for the highest versus the lowest category of serum beta-carotene levels was 0.827(0.736-0.930), and the association was significant between beta-carotene intake and cataract risk [0.937(0.880-0.997)]. Significant association of cataract risk with vitamin A intake was found overall [0.831(0.757-0.913)]. However, no significant association was found between serum vitamin A and cataract risk [0.925(0.675-1.266), I2=63.1%], but inverse association with risk of cataract in serum vitamin A after sensitivity analysis [0.765(0.654-0.894), I2=29.1%].
Conclusions
Higher vitamin A and beta-carotene might be inversely associated with risk of cataract.