Human Papillomavirus Infection Is Associated with Increased Risk of Glaucoma: Evidence in an Electronic Health Record Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the subsequent risk of developing glaucoma using electronic health record data.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults aged ≥ 18 years with a diagnosis of HPV were identified from the TriNetX research network and matched 1:1 to individuals without HPV based on demographics, comorbidities, and health care use patterns.

METHODS

Propensity score matching was performed to balance baseline characteristics. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for incident glaucoma. Sensitivity analyses and subgroup stratifications were conducted to assess robustness.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incident diagnosis of glaucoma, including open-angle and angle-closure subtypes, after HPV infection.

RESULTS

Among 451 288 matched participants, HPV infection was associated with an increased risk of glaucoma (HR, 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-1.41), with elevated risks observed for both open-angle glaucoma (HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.16-1.52) and angle-closure glaucoma (HR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.20-2.30). The association was more pronounced in older adults, men, and Asians, and further amplified by comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and myopia. Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Human papillomavirus infection is associated with a higher risk of glaucoma. Although these findings highlight a potential need for increased ophthalmologic surveillance in HPV-positive individuals, the possibility of surveillance bias, in which individuals with HPV may receive more frequent health care and eye examinations, cannot be excluded. Further studies are warranted to explore causal mechanisms and control for potential confounding.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.