The Negative Association between Dodecanoic Acid Intake and Cataract Incidence Based on NHANES 2005-2008

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between different types of fatty acid intake and cataract incidence using data from NHANES 2005-2008, with the goal of providing scientific evidence for guiding fatty acid supplementation in the elderly and preventing cataracts. MethodsA total of 2,536 participants were selected from the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Students t-test and Pearson chi-square test were used to analyze the correlation between baseline data, characteristic data, and all dietary fatty acid intakes with cataract incidence. Weighted multivariate logistic regression was employed to examine the relationship between all fatty acid intakes and cataracts. Quartile regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of dodecanoic acid on cataracts at different intake levels. ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates, significant differences were observed in the daily intakes of total fat (69.80 g vs. 62.46 g, p=0.005), total saturated fatty acids (23.06 g vs. 20.60 g, p=0.002), total monounsaturated fatty acids (25.53 g vs. 22.76 g, p=0.009), and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (15.16 g vs. 13.61 g, p=0.014) between the two groups. When cataract was used as the outcome variable, a significant negative correlation was found between daily dodecanoic acid intake and cataract in the weighted multivariate logistic regression model (Model 1: OR=0.79, 95% CI=0.65-0.97; Model 2: OR=0.80, 95% CI=0.65-0.97; Model 3: OR=0.81, 95% CI=0.66-0.99). In the quartile regression analysis, the fourth quartile of daily dodecanoic acid intake was negatively correlated with cataract incidence in all models (Model 1: OR=0.58, 95% CI=0.39-0.86; Model 2: OR=0.58, 95% CI=0.39-0.86; Model 3: OR=0.60, 95% CI=0.40-0.91). ConclusionIncreasing the daily intake of dodecanoic acid in the diet may reduce the likelihood of cataract development. Appropriate supplementation of dodecanoic acid in the daily diet can help prevent the occurrence and progression of cataracts.