CFH gene variant, Y402H, and smoking, body mass index, environmental associations with advanced age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
We tested the hypothesis that modifiable lifestyle factors alter the genetic susceptibility associated with a common coding variant in the complement factor H (CFH) gene, Y402H, for the leading cause of blindness among the elderly, age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
In this case-control association analysis, Caucasian participants in the multicenter Age-Related Eye Disease Study with advanced AMD (n = 574 cases) or no AMD (n = 280 controls) were evaluated. AMD status was determined by grading of fundus photographs. Risk factors including cigarette smoking and body mass index (BMI) were assessed and DNA specimens were genotyped for the variant in the CFH gene. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were performed. Attributable risks and multivariable AMD risk scores were calculated.


RESULTS
The number of risk alleles for Y402H was associated with advanced AMD, with odds ratios (OR) of 2.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8-3.8) for the CT heterozygous genotype and OR 7.4 (4.7-11.8) for the homozygous CC risk genotype, after controlling for demographic and behavioral risk factors. Current cigarette smoking (OR 5.1) and high BMI > or =30 (OR 2.1) were independently related to AMD, controlling for genotype. The association between AMD and BMI varied dependent on genotype (P interaction = 0.006 for the CT vs. TT genotype). The CC genotype plus higher BMI (OR 5.9) or smoking (OR 10.2) conferred the greatest risks. Gene plus environment risk scores provided an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.70-0.75.


CONCLUSIONS
Genetic and environmental factors are independently related to advanced AMD, and modifiable factors alter genetic susceptibility. The AMD risk score identifies a highly susceptible population.
Seddon
Johanna M
JM
Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Johanna_Seddon@meei.harvard.edu
George
Sarah
S
Rosner
Bernard
B
Klein
Michael L
ML
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017242:Complement Factor H / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
D017242:Complement Factor H