Early age-related macular degeneration linked to high HDL

(HealthDay)—There is a higher risk for early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in individuals with high plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, according to a study published online March 29 in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Valentine Saunier, M.D., from the Université de Bordeaux in France, and colleagues describe the incidence and associated risk factors of AMD among 659 residents of Bordeaux in France who were aged 73 years or older at baseline.

The researchers found that the incidence rates of early and advanced AMD were 79.9 and 18.6 per 1,000 person-years, respectively, corresponding to five-years risks of 32.9 and 8.9 percent. The incidence of advanced AMD per 1,000 eye-years was 1.5, 42.4, and 85.1 in those without any AMD at baseline, with early AMD1, and with early AMD2, respectively. Progression from early to advanced AMD was associated with AMD grade in the fellow eye (hazard ratio [HR] according to grade, 13.0 to 22.5), having smoked at least 20 pack-years (HR, 3.0), and complement factor H Y402H genotype (CC genotype: HR, 2.3). There was a correlation for incidence of early AMD with early AMD in the fellow eye (early AMD 1 and 2: HRs, 2.6 and 5.6, respectively) and high plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (HR, 1.2).

"This study suggests a high risk for incident early AMD in individuals with high plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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