Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:To determine risk factors of age-related maculopathy (ARM) in a population 50 years and older Methods:This is a study of a population-based random sample. After dilation of the pupil 1045 individuals were examined on a slit-lamp with a 78 D lens by two experienced retinal specialists working concurrently. Findings were documented using a steroscopic fundus photography. For analysis of all variables except age, all participants found to have either early dry ARM, late dry ARM or exudative ARM were grouped together and logistic regression analysis used to estimate risk factors. Results:For each 10 years of ageing the relative risk of getting early dry ARM was 1.88 (95% CI 1.6-2.2), of late dry ARM 6.93 (95% CI 3.6-13.2) and of exuadative ARM 5.9$ (95% CI 2.5-13.9). We found brown irises marginally protective for all types of ARM combined, RR=0.66 (95% CI 0.44-0.99). Variables like gender, outdoor exposure, smoking, cod-liver oil consumption, cardiovascular diseaese, skintype (i.e. whether people tan or sunburn, were not found to be risk factors for ARM. The presence of a nuclear cataract showed a trend towards protection for ARM, but did not reach statistical significance; RR=0.72 (95% CI 0.49-1.06). Conclusion:Age and iris colour were the only risk factors for ARM identified in this survey.
Keywords: 308 age-related macular degeneration • 309 aging • 355 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment