A meta-analysis of the association between high-sensitivity c-reactive protein level and glaucoma

Objective Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness in the US for people over the age of 40; the most common form is primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). It has been suggested that inflammatory markers have a role in the development and the progression of glaucoma (GL). High-sensitivity C reactive protein (HsCRP) is an inflammatory marker that has been linked to cardiovascular disease and a possible link to GL. Although a number of studies have found a link between CRP and GL; POAG, normal tension glaucoma (NTG), exfoliation glaucoma (XFG), Exfoliation syndrome (XFS), other research has shown the opposite.Purpose This systematic review is to determine the association between HsCRP and GL.Methodology A literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE database. We identified thirty-six peer-reviewed studies.Results Five retrospective studies were included and summed up to 164305 study participants, 161759 POAG patients, and 2546 controls. The pooled result of all studies revealed that HsCRP (SMD: 0.44 mg/dl; [95% confidence interval -0.10 to 0.99]; P = 0.11, I2 89%) concentration was not significantly higher in POAG patients compared to the healthy controls. The SMD for NTG, XFG and XFS; 0.64 mg/dl; 0.03 mg/dl, 0.03 mg/dl respectively. The pooled result revealed that HsCRP concentration was not significantly higher in POAG, NTG, XFG, and XFS. No publication bias was found using the funnel plot.Conclusion The meta-analysis concluded that there is no correlation between the elevated plasma levels of HsCRP and GL. Future studies should be conducted.