Cardiovascular risk factors associated with age-related macular degeneration: the Tromsø Study

• Published in: Acta Ophthalmologica
• Main Authors: Erke, Maja G, Bertelsen, Geir, Peto, Tunde, Sjølie, Anne K, Lindekleiv, Haakon, Njølstad, Inger
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Aged; 80 and over; Alcohol Drinking; Arctic Regions; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Macular Degeneration; Male; Middle Aged; Norway; Obesity; Overweight; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Sedentary Lifestyle; Smoking; Surveys and Questionnaires; Journal Article; Research Support; Non-U.S. Gov't; /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being; name=SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being; Arctic; Tromsø
• Online Access: https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/573f5488-e76a-42e6-8aa1-b5346b13024b; https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.12346

PURPOSE: To examine associations between cardiovascular risk factors and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional study of Caucasians aged 65-87 years was conducted in Norway in 2007/2008. Retinal photographs were graded for AMD. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed based on questionnaires addressing habits of smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, health and medication; and physical examination comprising anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and blood sampling. Cardiovascular disease status was obtained from a validated end-point registry. RESULTS: Gradable photographs were available for 2631 participants, of whom 92 (3.5%) subjects had late AMD. In the multivariable analysis of late AMD, significant interactions were found between sex and the variables age, triglyceride level, use of lipid-lowering drugs and physical exercise. Current daily smoking was significantly related to late AMD in both sexes (odds ratio (OR) 4.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.69-9.76 and OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.17-11.04, women and men, respectively) compared with never smokers. Higher number of pack years was associated with the presence of large drusen (>125 μm) (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.09 per 5 years). Higher systolic blood pressure (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.12 per 5 mmHg), overweight (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.13-7.29) and obesity (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.06-8.03), physical exercise duration (OR 0.41, 95% 0.18-0.96 for 30 min or more compared with less) and frequency (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.23-0.92 for weekly or more often compared to less) were associated with late AMD in women only. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking was strongly associated with AMD, in line with results from other populations. Also, late AMD was related to higher systolic blood pressure, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity in women.