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Success of supplementation linked to genetic risk factors for AMD progression
Nutritional supplementation may inhibit progression of age-related macular degeneration in patients with specific genetic risk factors for the disease, according to a study.
The randomized prospective study included 2,258 patients who participated in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. All patients were white and had AREDS category 3 AMD (intermediate AMD) in one eye and category 1 (no AMD) through category 4 disease (advanced AMD) in the fellow eye.
Investigators obtained DNA from 995 patients and analyzed the progression rate to advanced AMD based on genotypes and AREDS treatment category.
After an average of 10.1 years, patients with one or two complement factor H (CFH) risk alleles had the maximum benefit from antioxidants alone. The addition of zinc canceled the benefits of antioxidants in those patients.
Patients with age-related maculopathy sensitivity 2 (ARMS2) risk alleles had the maximum benefit from supplements containing zinc and a negative response to antioxidants.
Patients who were homozygous for CFH and ARMS2 risk alleles saw no benefit from any AREDS treatment category.
Disclosure: See the study for a full list of all authors’ relevant financial disclosures.