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Dietary Nutrient Intake and Progression to Late Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies 1 and 2

Agrón E, Mares J, Clemons TE, Swaroop A, Chew EY, Keenan TDL, AREDS and AREDS2 Research Groups

Ophthalmology, 2021

5,399 participants

Abstract

PURPOSE: To analyze associations between the dietary intake of multiple nutrients and risk of progression to late age-related macular degeneration (AMD), its subtypes, and large drusen.

DESIGN: Post hoc analysis of 2 controlled clinical trial cohorts: Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and AREDS2.

PARTICIPANTS: Eyes with no late AMD at baseline among AREDS participants (n = 4504) and AREDS2 participants (n = 3738) totaled 14 135 eyes. Mean age was 71.0 years (standard deviation, 6.7 years), and 56.5% of patients were women.

METHODS: Fundus photographs were collected at annual study visits and graded centrally for late AMD. Dietary intake of multiple nutrients was calculated from food frequency questionnaires.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Progression to late AMD, geographic atrophy (GA), neovascular AMD, and (separate analyses) large drusen.

RESULTS: Over median follow-up of 10.2 years, of the 14 135 eyes, 32.7% progressed to late AMD. For 9 nutrients, intake quintiles 4 or 5 (vs. 1) were associated significantly (P ≤ 0.0005) with decreased risk of late AMD: vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, magnesium, copper, and alcohol. For 3 nutrients, quintiles 4 or 5 were associated significantly with increased risk: saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, and oleic acid. Similar results were observed for GA. Regarding neovascular AMD, 9 nutrients were associated nominally with decreased risk-vitamin A, vitamin B6, β-carotene, lutein and…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 5,399 participants or records.

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