Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in Japanese immigrants and their descendants living in Londrina (PR) - Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of early and late-stage age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and its association with risk factors such as age, gender, smoking, body mass index, hypertension and diabetes history, cataracts and pseudophakia.


METHODS
Population-based cross-sectional study in an elderly Japanese-Brazilian population from Londrina (Paraná, Brazil).


METHODS
The study included 483 (80.5%) of the 600 registered members of a local association for Japanese immigrants and their descendants, aged 60 years and up. The presence of early and late-stage age-related macular degeneration was determined using the standard protocol and the international classification system.


RESULTS
The mean age of the study subjects was 71 years. The overall prevalence of age-related macular degeneration was 15.1% (CI 95%; 12-18.7). The prevalence of early-stage age-related macular degeneration was 13.8% (CI 95%; 10.9-17.3), geographic atrophy was present in 0.4% and neovascular age-related macular degeneration in 0.8%. Age-related macular degeneration was significantly (p=0.004) and linearly (p=0.001) associated with age.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study population displays a prevalence of early and late-stage age-related macular degeneration and component lesions similar to those of other Western countries, and data suggest a higher prevalence than that reported for populations in Japan. Since the age-related macular degeneration prevalence tends to rise as the population ages, studies identifying risk factors and exploring prevention methods are becoming increasingly important.
Oguido
Ana Paula Miyagusko Taba
AP
Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brasil. aoguido@sercomtel.com.br
Casella
Antonio Marcelo Barbante
AM
Matsuo
Tiemi
T
Ramos Filho
Eduardo Henrique de Freitas
EH
Berbel
Rodrigo
R
Silva
Ricardo Montanheiro Alcântara
RM
D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000208:ethnology; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution