Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: October | Volume: 8 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 1-8
Prevalence and Predictors of Age Related Macular Degeneration in the Population of Punjab: North Indian Age Related Macular Degeneration Epidemiology and Molecular Genetic Study (NI-ARMEMS)
Ritu Sharma1, Kanchan Mehta1, Jaswinder Singh Bhatti2, Sarabajit Mastana3, Monica Singh1, Puneetpal Singh1
1Department of Human Genetics, Punjabi University, Patiala
2Department of Biotechnology, Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Chandigarh
3Human Genomics Lab, SSEHS, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK
Corresponding Author: Puneetpal Singh
ABSTRACT
Background: Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is an ocular disease that is threatening elderly population of Punjab for vision impairment and blindness. Comprehensive understanding of the susceptible factors still remains to be explored in this region.
Objective: To examine the risk variables which are independently associated with the risk of AMD along with the investigation of its prevalence in the population of Punjab.
Methods: A case-control study by design involved 416 subjects (cases; 219, controls; 197) of age ranging from 45 to 75 years. Various risk factors were investigated for their role in consenting and confirmed AMD subjects along with controls.
Results: In the univariate full factorial regression analysis, advancing age (≥66years), being a woman, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (>80mmHg), cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, body mass index (BMI) (23-29.9Kgm-2 and ≥30Kgm-2), sedentary life style, total cholesterol (>200mg/dl), low density lipoproteins (>100mg/dl), high density lipoproteins (≥40mg/dl), non-vegetarian diet and positive family history were found to be risky determinants. Multivariable stepwise regression analysis revealed age ≥66 years, DBP > 80mmHg, alcohol drinking and smoking as independent predictors for the risk of AMD.
Conclusion: Considerable prevalence of dry AMD (20.5%) is evident in the population of Punjab which is mediated independently by age (≥66 years), DBP (>80 mmHg), alcohol drinking and smoking.
Key words: Prevalence of Age related macular degeneration, Independent predictors, Punjab, North India