modelling age-related cataract risk: impacts of nutrition, smoking, and uv exposure among metabolic syndrome patients in indonesia

This study explored the relationships between nuclear age-related cataract (arc) risk and metabolic syndrome in patients aged 45-90, examining serum malondialdehyde (mda) as a mediating factor. this cross-sectional study involved 289 arc patients who utilized interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. exogenous variables included macronutrients, micronutrients, smoking, and uv exposure; the endogenous variable was cataracts, assessed with locs iii. mda and metabolic syndrome served as mediators. data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (sem) with partial least squares (pls). the model demonstrated good fit and predictive relevance. significant direct effects were identified for smoking on arc, mda, and micronutrients on metabolic syndrome. ultraviolet (uv) exposure showed no significant impact, and mda did not mediate the relationships between the variables. smoking and mda are significant factors influencing arc, while metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress involve complex interactions. future public health research should use qualitative approaches to explore how nutrients, smoking, and uv exposure influence arc and identify more sensitive biomarkers beyond mda to assess oxidative stress and inflammation better.