Cardiovascular disease, its risk factors and treatment, and age-related macular degeneration: Women's Health Initiative Sight Exam ancillary study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association of cardiovascular disease (CVD), CVD risk factors, and CVD treatment with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
Observational analysis of a randomized clinical trial.


METHODS



METHODS
The Women's Health Initiative Sight Examination (WHISE), an ancillary study to the Women's Health Initiative's clinical trial of hormone replacement therapy.


METHODS
A total of 4,288 women age 63 years and older.


METHODS
Information on CVD and its risk factors were obtained from a standardized questionnaire and examination.


METHODS
AMD as determined by standardized grading of fundus photographs.


RESULTS
Prevalence of any AMD was 21.4% (n = 919). Of those with AMD, 5.8% (n = 53) had signs of exudative AMD (n = 39) or pure geographic atrophy (n = 14), limiting the power to examine associations. Significant associations between late AMD and CVD risk factors were (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]) older age (1.19, 1.13 to 1.27, P < .0001), more pack years smoked (1.02 per pack-year smoked, 1.003 to 1.03, P = .01), systolic blood pressure (0.84 per 10 mm Hg, 0.71 to 0.995, P = .04), report of taking calcium channel blockers (2.49, 1.21 to 5.12, P = .04), self-reported history of diabetes (2.00, 1.01 to 3.96, P = .05), and greater body mass index (1.05 per 1 kg/m, 1.001 to 1.10, P = .05). History of myocardial infarction, stroke, use of statins, or white blood cell count was not associated with AMD.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that smoking, use of calcium channel blockers, diabetes, and obesity are risk factors for late AMD in women. However, the association of late AMD with systolic blood pressure and the effects of other CVD risk factors on early AMD need to be further explored.
Klein
Ronald
R
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, USA. kleinr@epi.ophth.wisc.edu
Deng
Yingzi
Y
Klein
Barbara E K
BE
Hyman
Leslie
L
Seddon
Johanna
J
Frank
Robert N
RN
Wallace
Robert B
RB
Hendrix
Susan L
SL
Kuppermann
Baruch D
BD
Langer
Robert D
RD
Kuller
Lewis
L
Brunner
Robert
R
Johnson
Karen C
KC
Thomas
Asha M
AM
Haan
Mary
M
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers