Family history and age-related maculopathy: the Blue Mountains Eye Study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the associations between stages of age-related maculopathy (ARM) and reported family history of this eye disease.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of 3654 subjects from a defined geographical area west of Sydney (NSW, Australia) identified subjects with late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and early ARM from masked detailed grading of retinal photographs. Interviewer-administered questionnaires provided data on family history of ARM. Logistic regression was used to assess associations, adjusting for other known risk factors.


RESULTS
A family history of ARM was significantly associated with both late AMD (odds ratio (OR) 3.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34-11.46) and early ARM (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.04-4.55). The association was highest for neovascular AMD.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide persuasive evidence that a stated family history of ARM is an important risk factor for ARM.
Smith
W
W
National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
Mitchell
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires