Researcher challenges universal use of AREDS2 formulation
SAN DIEGO — Optimal treatment for 65% of AREDS2 study patients is something other than the AREDS formulation, Carl C. Awh, MD, told colleagues at the American Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting.
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Carl C. Awh
In an outcomes analysis of AREDS patients and AREDS data, Awh said patients with high complement factor H (CFH) risk and no ARMS2 risk treated with the AREDS formulation had a 135% increased AMD progression compared with those treated with placebo — that is, 13% of patients in the study.
“Our subgroup analysis suggests that genotype-directed nutritional therapy could result in improved outcomes for patients with moderate AMD,” Awh said.
Patients with low CFH risk and high ARMS2 risk had 37% decreased AMD progression if treated with the AREDS formulation rather than placebo.
“These were 35% of our study patients,” Awh said. “We think it is this genotype group that drives the overall benefit of the AREDS formulation.”
Disclosure:Awh is a consultant for and has equity interest in ArcticDx.