Prevalence and risk factors of age-related maculopathy among middle aged people

Objective. To investigate the prevalence of age-related maculopathy and the relationships of age-related maculopathy to age, sex, ocular factors, education, work exposures. A population-based cohort study included 1357 subjects (35–64 years of age) living in Kaunas (Lithuania), who were examined during the interval from 2001 to 2002. The diagnosis of age-related maculopathy was based on ophthalmoscopic findings or on fundus photographs. The prevalence of early age-related maculopathy was 7.3% in persons 40–64 years of age. No late age-related maculopathy (AMD) was found. Prevalence of early age-related maculopathy was strongly related to age (P<0.001). No significant prevalence differences were between the sexes. The frequency of age-related maculopathy was higher in eyes with light iris color but association was not significant. No associations were found between cataract or cataract type and ARM. There was no association between education and age-related maculopathy. Exposure to harmful work was found to be related to the presence of early age-related maculopathy in all. The prevalence of age-related maculopathy was significantly higher between men working in high temperature

Su amžiumi susijusi makulopatija bei šviežių daržovių ir vaisių vartojimas (pagyvenusių žmonių sveikatos studija)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the rate of age-related maculopathy among elderly males and females in relation to frequency of consumption of fresh vegetables and fruit. During ophthalmological investigation of Kaunas city inhabitants aged 65–74 years (240 males and 206 females) age-related maculopathy (early and late) was determined for 22.1% of males and 20.4% of females. Frequency of usage of fresh (uncooked) vegetables and fruits in winter-spring and in summer-autumn seasons by investigated persons was determined, using food frequency questionnaire. In this work an association between age-related maculopathy and usage of vegetables and fruits has been investigated in 170 males and 181 females aged 65–74 years without diabetes who never smoked; age-related maculopathy was found for 18.8% of males and 17.7% of females. Obtained data have demonstrated an inverse association between consumption of vegetables during winter-spring season and age-related maculopathy: usage of vegetables two times a week or more versus usage less than two times a week decreases prevalence of age-related maculopathy 2.0 times among males (OR=0.42; 95% CI 0.18–1.0; p=0.05) and 2.2 times among females (OR=0.37; 95% CI 0.15–0.9; p=0.02). Data have demonstrated a tendency that increasing consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits during both seasons can reduce risk of age-related maculopathy among females. In conclusion, characteristic for Lithuanian urban elderly rare usage of fresh vegetables during winter-spring season can increase risk of age-related maculopathy independently from other risk factors

Association of age-related maculopathy with ischemic heart disease and its risk factors in middle-aged population of Kaunas city

Aim. To determine the prevalence of age-related maculopathy in a sample of Lithuanian middle-aged population and to assess the relationship between age-related maculopathy and ischemic heart disease and its risk factors, including smoking, arterial hypertension, obesity, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemias. Material and methods. A random sample of urban population of 1357 adults (ranging from 35–64 years of age; 597 males and 760 females) living in Kaunas, Lithuania was examined during the interval from 2001 to 2002. Each participant underwent a comprehensive examination that included an ophthalmic examination. The presence of age-related maculopathy was determined by grading from fundus examination by indirect ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp examination, and color fundus photographs. The history, physical examination findings, and fasting blood samples provided data on possible risk factors. Age-adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for age-related maculopathy. Results. Early age-related maculopathy was detected for 44 males and 40 females. The prevalence of age-related maculopathy increased steadily with age without significant difference between males and females. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that increased diastolic blood pressure, obesity, hyperglycemia, ischemic ECG-abnormalities and history of myocardial infarction were significantly associated with age-related maculopathy in males aged 40–64 years. Current smoking and hyperglycemia were significantly associated with age-related maculopathy in females aged 40–64 years [...]