Chronic pain at multiple sites linked to higher glaucoma risk in UK study

A prospective cohort analysis using UK Biobank data examined the relationship between chronic pain and glaucoma.

Chronic pain status was assessed at baseline by questionnaire, including the number of pain locations and specific single-location pain. Participants were followed until a diagnosis of glaucoma, death, or censoring, and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for covariates.

Compared with individuals reporting no chronic pain, participants with pain in three locations had a higher risk of glaucoma (HR 1.20; 95% CI, 1.10–1.30; P < 0.001). Those with pain in 4 or more locations also showed an increased risk (HR 1.34; 95% CI, 1.24–1.46; P < 0.001). In contrast, chronic pain affecting one or two locations was not significantly associated with glaucoma. No single pain location was independently linked to glaucoma risk.

The findings indicate an association between glaucoma risk and the presence of chronic pain across multiple body locations.

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