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Study: Blood pressure medications linked to increased risk of AMD
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In a recent Ophthalmology study, researchers found an association between vasodilator use and early age-related macular degeneration.
They also found an association between the use of β-blockers and exudative AMD.
Klein and colleagues observed participants every 5 years over a period of 20 years, as detailed in the study. During the exams, the researchers determined AMD status by grading retinal photographs. The study began with 4,926 participants; researchers noted 9,676 total visits throughout the study.
Results showed that the use of a vasodilator such as Loniten (minoxidil, Pfizer) or Apresoline (hydralazine HCl, CIBA) increased the risk of developing early AMD by 72%.
"Among people who were not taking vasodilators, an estimated 8.2% developed signs of early AMD," according to a release from the American Academy of Ophthalmology regarding the study. "In comparison, among those taking a vasodilator medication, 19.1% developed the disease."
"Use of vasodilators is associated with a 72% increase in the hazard of incidence of early AMD, and use of oral β-blockers is associated with a 71% increase in the hazard of incident exudative AMD," the researchers concluded. "If these findings are replicated, it may have implications for care of older adults because vasodilators and oral β-blockers are drugs that are used commonly by older persons."
“As significant as these results may be, it’s important that they be replicated first and, if possible, tested in a clinical trials setting before changing anyone’s medication regimens,” Ronald Klein, MD, MPH, lead researcher of the study, said in the release. “Further research is needed to determine the cause of these increased risks.”
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Ophthalmology. 2014; doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2014.03.005.
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