Biomass Fuel Use and Risk of Cataract: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
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Date
2014-01-01
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Abstract
Aims: There is an increasing recognition of the putative association between the use of
biomass fuels and the risk of cataracts. However, the exact strength of this association is
currently unknown. Our aim was to synthetically quantify the association between
biomass fuel use and cataract.
Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methodology: Using results from the MEDLINE®, Scopus®, Web of Science® and
Google® searches, we conducted a random-effects meta-analysis of the published
studies. We also conducted subgroup meta-analyses, meta-regressions and sensitivity
analyses to determine the contribution of potential confounders to between-study
heterogeneity which was measured by the tau-squared and I2 statistics. Summary effect
sizes (SES) were estimated using the DerSimonian and Laird method and the 95% confidence intervals (CI) and 95% prediction intervals (PI) were also estimated.
Publication bias was examined using funnel plots and Egger’s test.
Results: In spite of significant between-study heterogeneity (I2 70%, p=8.1x10-5),
biomass fuel use was associated with a significantly increased risk of cataract (SES
2.12; 95% CI 1.61-2.80; 95% PI 0.88-5.09). Age-, gender- and other methodological
differences did not significantly contribute to between-study heterogeneity but Indian
studies showed a statistically significant association between biomass fuel use and
cataract. Statistically homogeneous studies (n = 8) showed an SES of 2.01 (95% CI and
PI 1.67-2.41).
Conclusion: Synthetic evidence from observational studies indicates that biomass fuel
use may increase the risk of cataract. Public health initiatives aimed at avoidance of
biomass fuel use may reduce the burden of cataracts especially in settings where
biomass fuels are commonly used.
Description
Keywords
Biomass, cataract, energy, indoor air pollution, meta-analysis
Citation
Kulkarni Hemant, Narlawar Uday W, Sukhsohale Neelam D, Thakre Sushama, Ughade Suresh N. Biomass Fuel Use and Risk of Cataract: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research. 2014 Jan; 4(1): 382-394.