Association of Serum Ferritin and Kidney Function with Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the General Population.
Ferritin is considered to be a marker of the body's iron stores and has a potential relationship with the systemic manifestations of inflammatory reactions. Data on the association between increased levels of serum ferritin and ocular problems are limited, particularly in relation to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Serum ferritin levels, as a possible clinical parameter for predicting AMD, were analyzed in anthropometric, biochemical, and ophthalmologic data from a nation-wide, population-based, case-control study (KNHNES IV and V). All native Koreans aged ≥ 20 years and who had no medical illness were eligible to participate. Among them, 2.9% had AMD, and its prevalence was found to increase in the higher ferritin quintile groups (Ptrend < 0.0001). In multiple linear regression analysis, serum ferritin level was closely related to conventional risk factors for AMD. Comparison of early AMD with a control group showed that serum ferritin levels were closely associated with AMD (OR = 1.004, 95% CI = 1.002-1.006), and further adjustment for age, gender, serum iron, and kidney function did not reduce this association (OR = 1.003, 95% CI = 1.001-1.006). Furthermore, the relationship between ferritin quintile and early AMD was dose-dependent. Thus, an increased level of serum ferritin in a healthy person may be a useful indicator of neurodegenerative change in the macula. A large population-based prospective clinical study is needed to confirm these findings.
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Il Hwan
IH
Oh
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Eun Young
EY
Choi
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Joon-Sung
JS
Park
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Chang Hwa
CH
Lee
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D005293:Ferritins