Environmental Correlates of Age-related Macular Degeneration in Pakistani Population

Abstract

Purpose: : Pakistan Risk of Age-related macular degeneration and determination of Its Serological, Environmental and Genetic determinants study aims to recruit 5000 AMD cases and 5000 controls making it the largest study of its kind in AMD and Pakistan taking a holistic approach to investigation of development of AMD. This paper discusses the influence of lifestyle, dietary and behavioral factors and the environment on development of AMD in Pakistani population.

Methods: : Data on environmental, lifestyle, dietary, ethnic and behavioral characteristics was collected from 250 cases and 50 controls recruited from the Liaquat University Eye Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan in one-to-one interview session using a validated questionnaire customized to Pakistani population. Recruitment of a further 100 cases and 50 controls is planned in the next six months. Standard Ophthalmic evaluation including visual acuity testing, slit-lamp examination and refraction were performed on all participants. Also, participants' height, weight, BMI and blood pressure was recorded and fundus photographs were obtained for grading at the Moorfields Eye Hospital Reading Center. Logistic regression models are being used to assess the associations observed in the present study.

Results: : Preliminary analysis on a subset of participants suggests an association of BMI with AMD in the Pakistani population. Other possible factors possibly involved in the development of AMD in Pakistani patients at the time of preliminary analysis include: increased mean arterial pressure, Sindhi ethnicity and consanguinity of parents. Significance of these and other associations will become clearer with further data analysis and increased sample size.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment