Dietary fat intake and incidence of cataracts: The SUN Prospective study in the cohort of Navarra, Spain

Background and objective: To evaluate prospectively the association between dietary fat intake and the incidence of cataracts in participants from the SUN cohort. Patients and methods: Among 12308 men and women, initially free of cataracts and followed-up for up to 6 years, we identified 182 incident cases of cataracts. Fatty acids intake was assessed by a validated 136-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics, lifestyle, health-related habits and information about medical conditions were also collected. Incident cases of cataract were ascertained by self-reports using a biennale questionnaire. Results: Participants belonging to the highest category of omega-6 fatty acids intake had a non-significantly reduced risk of cataracts in the model adjusted for potential confounders but not for other fatty acids (adjusted OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.33, 1.03). When all types of fatty acids (saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated omega-6 and polyunsaturated omega-3) were included simultaneously in the same multivariable model, this inverse association became significant (adjusted OR: 0.54 95% CI: 0.29, 0.99). There were no significant associations between other dietary fats and the risk of cataracts. Conclusion: High intake of omega-6 fatty acids showed a modest but significant inverse association with the development of cataracts. (C) 2009 Elsevier Espana, S.L, All rights reserved.