Systemic markers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and age-related maculopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association of systemic markers of inflammatory disease and endothelial dysfunction with age-related maculopathy (ARM).


METHODS
(1) Nested case-control analysis of prevalent ARM and (2) prospective analyses of incident ARM in a random sample of a population-based cohort.


METHODS
Standardized protocols for blood collection, measurement of markers, administration of a questionnaire, and gradings of stereoscopic color fundus photography to determine ARM were used. Standard univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. participants: Included in the nested case-control study were 188 cases with moderate to advanced ARM and 195 controls matched for age, gender, and current smoking status at a baseline examination from 1988 to 1990, and living in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Included in the prospective analyses as a random sample of 321 persons were those who participated in a 5-year and/or 10-year follow-up. main outcome measures: Prevalent and incident ARM.


RESULTS
Serum C-reactive protein, amyloid A, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, intracellular adhesion molecule, E-selectin, folate, and Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG antibody were not associated with either prevalent or incident ARM.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to other reports, we cannot confirm a strong or consistent relationship of markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction with ARM.
Klein
Ronald
R
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School Madison, 53726, USA. kleinr@epi.ophth.wisc.edu
Klein
Barbara E K
BE
Knudtson
Michael D
MD
Wong
Tien Yin
TY
Shankar
Anoop
A
Tsai
Michael Y
MY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D015415:Biomarkers