Abstract
Purpose: :
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) has been suggested to be a predictor of coronary heart disease and stroke. Serum Lp-PLA2 is an inflammatory marker and can directly promote atherogenesis (Rader DJ. N Engl J Med. 2000; 343:). Because inflammation, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular risk factors are also associated with aging macula disorder (AMD), the aim of this study was to examine associations between serum levels of Lp-PLA2 and the risk of AMD.
Methods: :
For efficiency reasons, a nested case-cohort design was used within the Rotterdam Study, a population-based prospective cohort study of persons aged 55 years and over. Of the 6,418 participants at risk for AMD at baseline, a random sample of 1,648 individuals was drawn. Baseline examinations were performed between 1990 and 1993, and were followed by three follow-up examinations every 2-3 years. Baseline Lp-PLA2 concentration in serum was measured with a high throughput radiometric activity assay. Information on potential confounders was collected at baseline. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate associations.
Results: :
During follow-up (mean, 6.9 years), 164 incident AMD cases were identified. The hazard ratio (HR; 95% CI confidence interval [CI]) per unit increase of Lp-PLA2 activity was 1.00 (0.98 - 1.01). Compared with the lowest tertile of Lp-PLA2, the age-and sex-adjusted HR for AMD for the second tertile was 1.03 (0.71 - 1.49), and for the third tertile 0.86 (0.58 - 1.27), p value for trend was 0.44.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • retinal degenerations: hereditary • aging