Association between zolpidem use and glaucoma risk: a Taiwanese population-based case-control study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To date, the relationship between zolpidem use and subsequent risk of glaucoma in a Taiwanese population has not been assessed.

METHODS:

We used data from the National Health Insurance system to investigate whether zolpidem use was related to glaucoma risk. A 1:4 matched case-control study was conducted. The cases were patients newly diagnosed with glaucoma from 2001 to 2010. The controls were randomly selected non-glaucoma subjects matched by sex and age (± 5 years). Zolpidem exposure and/or the average dosage of zolpidem used (mg/year) were evaluated. Medical comorbidities were considered as confounding factors. Multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate the potential risk of zolpidem exposure on glaucoma with/without adjustment for the effects of confounding variables.

RESULTS:

The exposure rate of zolpidem use in the glaucoma group was significantly higher than that of the control group (2.8% vs. 2.0%, P < 0.0001). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of the risk of glaucoma for those with zolpidem use vs. those without was 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.38). Compared to non-zolpidem users, zolpidem users with an average dose of more than 200 mg/year had significantly increased risk of glaucoma (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.03-1.68).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study suggests that the use of zolpidem might increase the risk of subsequent glaucoma. Further confirmatory studies are recommended to clarify this important issue.

• Authors: Yi-Hao Ho, Yue-Cune Chang, Wei-Cheng Huang, Hsin-Yi Chen, Che-Chen Lin, Fung-Chang Sung
• Journal: Journal of epidemiology (J Epidemiol) Vol. 25 Issue 1 Pg. 15-9 ( 2015) ISSN: 1349-9092 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 25720944 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hypnotics and Sedatives
• Pyridines
• Zolpidem

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Case-Control Studies
• Databases, Factual
• Female
• Glaucoma (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Humans
• Hypnotics and Sedatives (adverse effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• National Health Programs
• Pyridines (adverse effects)
• Risk Assessment
• Taiwan (epidemiology)
• Zolpidem