Major American dietary patterns are related to risk of age‐related macular degeneration (810.2)

Objective: We hypothesized that major American dietary patterns and differences in specific nutrient intakes within the context of the patterns are associated with age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) risk. Methods: 8,103 eyes from 4,088 eligible participants were classified into control, early AMD, and advanced AMD. Using 37 food group data collected by a 90‐item food frequency questionnaire, two major dietary patterns, prudent and Western patterns, were identified by factor analysis. Results : For early AMD, the multivariate‐adjusted odds ratio (OR) comparing the highest to lowest quintile of the prudent pattern score was OR E5P =0.74 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59‐0.91; P trend =0.01), and the OR comparing the highest to lowest quintile of the Western pattern score was OR E5W =1.56 (1.18‐2.06; P trend =0.01). For advanced AMD, the OR A5P was 0.38 (0.27‐0.54; P trend <0.0001), and the OR A5W was 3.70 (2.31‐5.92; P trend <0.0001). Our data also suggested benefit from higher dietary intakes of vitamin C, lutein/zeaxanthin, and beta‐carotene, especially in the context of the Western pattern. In the context of the two major patterns, we did not observe a relationship between intake of vitamin E, zinc, DHA or EPA and AMD risk. Conclusions : This cross‐sectional study indicates that diet plays an important role in the development of AMD and that the risk for AMD can be diminished by eating a prudent diet. Grant Funding Source : Supported by the NIH and the USDA