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Risk factors for age‐related macular degeneration appear early in life
Author(s) -
Buck Michael J,
Durham Holiday A,
Smither Allison R,
Woods Brittany G,
Nickens Emily L,
Lewis Markita M,
LammiKeefe Carol
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.1072.7
Subject(s) - macular degeneration , medicine , body mass index , docosahexaenoic acid , physiology , ophthalmology , gerontology , polyunsaturated fatty acid , fatty acid , biology , biochemistry
Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss and is most prevalent in women. Low docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake is associated with risk for AMD. AMD research has been focused primarily on older populations with AMD. In this study we evaluated known risk factors for AMD such as body mass index (BMI), gender, dietary DHA intake, and macular pigment optical density (MPOD), a measure of the thickness of the macula, in young, college‐aged students. Health histories and 24‐hour dietary intakes were obtained and MPOD was measured using a macular metrics densitometer. Pearson correlations and analysis of variance were used to evaluate MPOD and risk factors. Females had lower MPOD than males (p‐value= 0.06) which may be a reflection of lower intake of dietary and supplementary DHA [Mean±SD: males= 215±375 mg, females= 51± 101 mg](p <0.01). There was a correlation between MPOD and omega‐3 dietary intake (r=0.26, p <0.01) We conclude dietary intake of DHA coupled with low MPOD, may partially explain why women are at greater risk later in life for AMD. Further exploration is needed to evaluate dietary and lifestyle behaviors in early adulthood and the risk for AMD later in life. Funded by College of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Award.