[Age-related macular degeneration: analysis in two ophthalmological centers in Pernambuco-Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) prevalence and its risk factors in two different populations, with distinct socioeconomic conditions, at two ophthalmological centers in Pernambuco state, Brazil.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed in 200 volunteers aged 55 years or older. One hundred were cared for by the Public Health System (in the Fundação Altino Ventura FAV-SUS) and 100 were cared for at a private hospital (Hospital de Olhos de Pernambuco-HOPE). There were 400 eyes altogether. Age-related macular degeneration was graded using fundoscopic examination using AREDS classification (Age-Related Eye Disease Study).


RESULTS
Presence of age-related macular degeneration was observed in 61 eyes (30%) of the patients of the Fundação Altino Ventura and in 46 eyes (23%) of the patients of the Hospital de Olhos de Pernambuco. The age-related macular degeneration frequency difference between these populations, that are not similar regarding their socioeconomic level, was not significant (p=0.113). There was a positive association between aging and the age-related macular degeneration frequency (p<0.0001). This association was also present in the female gender (p=0.0451), the presence of cataract (p=0.0447), cataract surgery (p=0.0432) and obesity (p<0.0001). No age-related macular degeneration association with race (p=0.1367), hypertension (p=0.1985), diabetes (p=0.6712), smoking (p=0.6374), alcohol intake (p=0.7359), ocular sunlight exposure (p=0.9399), light-colored iris (p=0.1691), hyperopia (p=0.5098) and the usage of antioxidants (p=0.8251) was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The age-related macular degeneration frequency in the two studied ophthalmological centers varied from 23 to 30%. Age-related macular degeneration association with age; female gender; cataract; cataract surgery; and obesity was observed. No age-related macular degeneration association with socioeconomic level was found in this study.
Santos
Laura Patrícia Ferreira
LP
Fundação Altino Ventura, Recife, PE.
Diniz
José Ricardo
JR
Leão
Ana Cecília de Souza
AC
Sena
Marília Fernandes de
MF
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors