Evaluation of Plasma Homocysteine and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Accepted 25 July 2005. published online 21 October 2005.
Purpose
To assess the relationship between plasma levels of homocysteine and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Design
Cross-sectional, case-control study.
Methods
Fasting plasma homocysteine levels were measured at two centers in 934 individuals who were participating in an ancillary study of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. There were 547 cases and 387 control subjects, who were determined by fundus photography. Conditional logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association of homocysteine with AMD.
Results
Median values of homocysteine were higher among advanced AMD cases (9.51 mmol/l) compared with persons with no AMD (8.81 mmol/l; P = .01). Values of >12 mmol/l vs ≤12 mmol/l were also associated with an increased risk of AMD (P = .023), when controlled for other covariates.
Conclusion
Results are consistent with a possible small, independent association between higher homocysteine levels and AMD. Homocysteine may be a modifiable risk factor for AMD.
aEpidemiology Unit, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School and the Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
Inquiries to Johanna M. Seddon, MD, ScM, Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114
Conflict of Interest Statement: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary has pending US and international patent applications that include related subject matter. In the event that Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary receives any proceeds that are related to the subject matter described in this article, all proceeds will be distributed per the institutional policies governing royalties and intellectual property.
Supported by National Institutes of Health grants RO1EY13982, NO1EY02117, NO1EY02126; the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Epidemiology Unit Research Fund; and the Good Samaritan Foundation, Portland, Oregon.
ABSTRACT