Correlation between modifiable risk factors and age-related macular degeneration: A Case–control study

• Main Authors: Dhaval Patel, Harsha Bhattacharjee, Saloni Shah, Krati Gupta, Rupal Chaudhari, Kamla Sadia, Saurabh Deshmukh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2018-01-01
• Series: TNOA Journal of Ophthalmic Science and Research
• Subjects: body mass index; neovascular age-related macular degeneration; nonneovascular age-related macular degeneration; smoking; waist circumference
• Online Access: http://www.tnoajosr.com/article.asp?issn=2589-4528;year=2018;volume=56;issue=3;spage=163;epage=166;aulast=Patel

Aim: The aim of the study is to find the correlation between modifiable risk factors such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and smoking with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Materials and Methods: In this hospital-based, observational, case-control study, 100 patients presenting to our outpatient department over a period of 1 year were included in the study. The selected participants were grouped into the AMD group which included 50 eyes with nonneovascular AMD and neovascular AMD along with 50 eyes as a control group. All participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmological examination along with measurement of weight, height, and WC. Results: Fifty eyes of 50 patients diagnosed to have AMD and 50 eyes of 50 age-matched controls were included in this study. The mean age was 66 years (49–85 years). The mean BMI in patients with neovascular AMD was 27.74 kg/m2 ± 4.93 (n = 19). The mean BMI in patients with nonneovascular AMD was 25.58 kg/m2 ± 2.90 (n = 31), whereas mean BMI in the control group was 23.85 kg/m2 ± 3.31 (n = 50). There was a statistically significant difference between the two AMD groups and the control group with respect to BMI (ANOVA; F = 8.605; DF = 2; P < 0.001). The mean WC in patients with neovascular AMD was 104.63 cm ± 5.78 (n = 19). The mean WC in patients with nonneovascular AMD was 102.6 cm ± 6.1 (n = 31), whereas mean WC in the control group was 91.7 cm ± 6.7 (n = 50), and the difference was statistically significant (ANOVA; F = 42.70; DF = 2; P < 0.001). Statistically significant difference was observed between the smokers belonging to case and control groups (ANOVA; F = 13.967; DF = 2; P < 0.001). Conclusion: A statistically significant correlation exists between BMI, WC, smoking, and the severity of AMD.