June 2015
Volume 56, Issue 7
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2015
Nutritional and lifestyle risk factors in AMD. The Coimbra Eye Study
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Claudia Louro Farinha
    Ophthalmology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Filipe Mira
    Faculty of Medicine (FMUC). University of Coimbra., Coimbra, Portugal
  • Lèlita Santos
    Faculty of Medicine (FMUC). University of Coimbra., Coimbra, Portugal
    Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Sandrina Nunes
    Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Ana Pedroso
    Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Inês Laíns
    Ophthalmology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
    Ophthalmology Department, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
  • Maria Luz Cachulo
    Ophthalmology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
    Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Rufino Silva
    Ophthalmology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
    Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships Claudia Farinha, None; Filipe Mira, None; Lèlita Santos, None; Sandrina Nunes, None; Ana Pedroso, None; Inês Laíns, None; Maria Luz Cachulo, None; Rufino Silva, Alcon (C), Alimera (C), Allergan (C), Bayer (C), Novartis (C), THEA (C)
  • Footnotes
    Support None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2015, Vol.56, 3770. doi:
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      Claudia Louro Farinha, Filipe Mira, Lèlita Santos, Sandrina Nunes, Ana Pedroso, Inês Laíns, Maria Luz Cachulo, Rufino Silva; Nutritional and lifestyle risk factors in AMD. The Coimbra Eye Study. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2015;56(7 ):3770.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract
 
Purpose
 

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial disease characterized by a complex interplay between genetic and environmental risk factors. Among the last, stand out smoking and nutritional habits. Current knowledge suggests that the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle may be protective for AMD. Their role, however, has never been evaluated. The aim of this study is to compare lifestyle and dietary patterns of a Portuguese population with and without AMD.

 
Methods
 

This study was developed in the scope of the Coimbra Eye Study, a cross-sectional population-based study that includes subjects ≥55 years from two Portuguese populations, one from a coastal and the other from an inland town. In this last, besides the standard complete ophthalmological exam and the color fundus photographs (CFP), all participants were invited to answer a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and inquired about their lifestyle habits, comorbidities, and medication. AMD diagnosis was defined based on CFP by a certified reading center. The FFQ answers were analyzed according to the different nutrients and foods in order to identify a ‘Mediterranean diet’ pattern.

 
Results
 

Of the 3409 inland town subjects summoned to participate, 1005 were selected using criteria to ensure that half the patients had the disease and half did not. Of these, 121 did not meet the inclusion criteria. The final sample consisted of 884 patients - 451 with no signs of AMD and 433 with AMD. These groups were comparable regarding demographics, comorbidities and smoking status. Regarding the dietary profiles our results revealed significant differences. Subjects without AMD presented dietary habits compatible with the typical Mediterranean diet (excluding wine), which includes cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, fruit and olive oil, among others (p=0.037). Fast food, readymade meals, dairy products and meat were more frequently consumed by AMD patients. The analysis of the nutrients consumption revealed that fibers, caffeine, vitamins C and E and carotenoids were more frequently consumed by subjects without AMD (p<0.05). This group also had a significantly higher level of practiced physical exercise (p=0.006).

 
Conclusions
 

Our results revealed that a ‘Mediterranean diet’ and physical exercise are more common in subjects without AMD, thus suggesting that they may perform a protective role. Further prospective studies will be needed to confirm it.

 
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