title: [Prevalence and risk factors of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Tunisian hospital population].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the prevalence and the risk factors for the age related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Tunisian hospital population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 2204 subjects 50 years of age and older were enrolled in a prospective study conducted between august 2004 and February 2009. Medical history was reviewed. Subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, including best corrected visual acuity and slit lamp biomicroscopy with fundus examination. Fundus photography and fluorescein angiography were performed if clinical features of AMD were observed on fundus examination. Cases were classified in early and late stages of AMD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of late AMD was higher than early AMD. Significant risk factors are age, male gender, smoking, excessive sunlight exposure and poor consumption of fish. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dyslipimia were not significantly associated to a high prevalence of AMD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AMD is a multifactorial disease. In our Tunisian hospital population, the prevalence of AMD was higher than in the Europeen population. It can be explained by genetic differences or risk factors. Age, cigarette smoking and sunlight exposure were associated with increasing prevalence of AMD in Tunisia.
authors.affiliation: Service d'ophtalmologie B, Institut Hédi Rais d'ophtalmologie de Tunis. leila.elmatri@ms.tn
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: El Matri
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bouraoui
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chebil
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kort
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Limaiem
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bouladi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mghaieth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology