Intake of key micronutrients and food groups in patients with late-stage age-related macular degeneration compared with age-sex-matched controls

Bamini Gopinath*, Gerald Liew, Joanna Russell, Victoria Cosatto, George Burlutsky, Paul Mitchell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background Knowledge of the risk factor profile of patients presenting with late-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) could help identify the most frequent modifiable AMD precursors among people who are referred for treatment. We aimed to assess dietary behaviours by comparing adjusted mean intakes of micronutrients and major food groups (fruits, vegetables, fish) among patients with AMD and a sample of age-sex-matched controls. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of 480 late AMD cases and 518 population-based age-sex-matched controls with no AMD signs. AMD cases (aged 60+ years) were those presenting for treatment to a hospital eye clinic in Sydney, Australia, during 2012-2015. The comparator group were obtained from a cohort study (Blue Mountains Eye Study; Sydney, Australia) during 2002-2009. Dietary intake was assessed using a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. AMD lesions were assessed from retinal photographs. Results After multivariable adjustment, patients with late-stage AMD compared with controls had significantly lower intakes of Vitamin E (7.4 vs 9.8mg/day; p<0.0001), beta-carotene (6232 vs 7738μg/day; p<0.0001), Vitamin C (161 vs 184mg/day; p=0.0002) and folate (498.3 vs 602μg/day; p<0.0001); but had higher intakes of zinc (13.0 vs 11.9mg/day; p<0.0001). A significantly lower proportion of patients with late AMD met the recommended intake of vegetables than controls: 52.9% versus 64.5%; p=0.0002. Conclusions This study showed significant differences in intakes of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, folate and vegetables between patients with late-stage AMD and healthy controls, and thus has provided a better understanding of the nutritional intake of patients presenting with advanced AMD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1027-1031
Number of pages5
JournalBritish Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume101
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Epidemiology
  • Macula
  • Public health

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