Purpose:
To identify potential risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the US population using a nationally representative, population based survey.
Methods:
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2008 was utilized to obtain demographic, behavioral, and medical data to identify potential risk factors for AMD in the US. AMD status for population aged 40 or older was determined through forty-five degree digital retinal images graded using a standard ophthalmologic protocol. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify significant risk factors for AMD.
Results:
Of the 5604 participants with graded retinal images, 441 (7.87%) had any AMD with 386 (6.89%) early AMD and 55 (0.98%) late AMD. Analysis showed age, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, LDL, total cholesterol, c-reactive protein (CRP), current smoking status, and history of cardiovascular disease [history of myocardial infraction, stroke, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, and angina] were significantly associated with any AMD in the NHANES data.
Conclusions:
Findings from the NHANES 2005-2008 data on risk factors for AMD in the US population support the findings from other epidemiological studies.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: biostatistics/epidemiology methodology