Body Mass Index Has a Linear Relationship with Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure

To examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP), as low BMI and low CSFP have recently been described as risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)

Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure Decreases with Older Age

Clinical studies implicate low cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) or a high translaminar pressure difference in the pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG). This study was performed to examine the effect of age, sex, race and body mass index (BMI) on CSFP

Segmented multivariate linear regression model CSFP (mm Hg) by age and sex.

<p>For each year of increase in age, CSFP decreased 0.009 mmHg (p = 0.132) for age <50 and by 0.056 mmHg, (p<0.001) for age greater than 50. Prior to age 50, the slope is not different between males and females (p = 0.369). After age 50, the gender difference in the slope is borderline significant (p = 0.067). The r² of this model is 0.071.</p

Mean cerebrospinal fluid pressure (mm Hg) by age categories.

<p>Percent difference is compared against the 20–49 year age group.</p>*<p> <i>P-value based on F-test of difference in CSF means between each older age category and age category 20–49.</i></p>**<p> <i>Percentage lower of mean in age category than mean in 20–49 age category.</i></p

Average intraocular pressure against age.

<p>Formula for the regression: y = −0.0144×+15.575, r² = 0.003.</p

Derivation of the final study population after adoption of all entry criteria.

*<p> <i>114 were in two exclusion categories.</i></p

Intraocular pressure, cerebrospinal fluid pressure, and translaminar pressure difference by age groups.

<p>The percentage difference is calculated by mean IOP average of each age group against mean IOP average at age 20–49; significance measured by two-tailed Student's t-test. <i>IOP: intraocular pressure; CSFP: cerebrospinal fluid pressure; TLPd: translaminar pressure difference</i>.</p

Mean CSFP within specific age groups.

<p>Bars represent one standard deviation.</p

Bivariate analysis of mean cerebrospinal fluid pressure (mm Hg) as a function of BMI within specific age groups.

<p>Bivariate analysis of mean cerebrospinal fluid pressure (mm Hg) as a function of BMI within specific age groups.</p