Association between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and risk of optic neuropathy: A population-based cohort study

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive factors of optic neuropathy among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: The analysis included 16 297 patients with NPC and 65 187 controls. Each patient with NPC was randomly frequency-matched with 4 individuals without NPC by age, sex, and index year. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to measure the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of optic neuropathy development associated with NPC. Results: The risk of optic neuropathy was significantly higher in the NPC cohort (adjusted HR [aHR] 3.42; 95% CI 2.85-4.09; P <.001). Independent risk factors for optic neuropathy among patients with NPC included stroke (aHR 1.7; 95% CI 1.07-2.7; P =.03) and receipt of chemotherapy (aHR 1.55; 95% CI 1.17-2.06; P =.002). Conclusion: The risk of optic neuropathy was significantly higher in patients with NPC than in the general population.