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Modifiable risk factors may be linked to incidence, progression of AMD in Latinos
Am J Ophthalmol. 2011;152(3):385-395.
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In a study evaluating Latino patients, some modifiable risk factors were associated with the incidence and progression of age-related macular degeneration.
Participants in The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study underwent standard ophthalmic exams at baseline and at 4 years follow-up. In the population-based prospective cohort study, researchers used the Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System to detect AMD and multivariate stepwise logistic regression to determine independent associations of incidence and progression of disease and baseline factors.
Increased age and higher pulse pressure were associated with occurrence of any AMD, as well as early AMD, soft indistinct drusen and retinal pigmentary abnormalities. Presence of diabetes mellitus was linked to increased retinal pigment, while male gender was associated with retinal pigment epithelial depigmentation. Moreover, disease progression occurred in patients with increased age and persistent smoking habits.
The study authors suggested interventions aimed at reducing pulse pressure and discontinuing cigarette usage. They also suggested further longitudinal studies to evaluate these associations, as there were a number of study limitations including the relative infrequency of AMD cases and potential measurement errors regarding presence and severity of disease.