Age related macular degeneration in the algerian population and comparison with the italian one

Abstract

AbstractPurpose To identify the risk factors for Age Related Macula changes (ARM and ARMD) in the Algerian population. The results will be compared, in a second time, to the results of a similar previous survey performed in Italy on Maghreb population. Finally, a predictive algorithm in order to detect the individual risk for developing AMD will be definedMethods Multicenter epidemiological study has been carried out in Algeria by 23 ophthalmologists who aimed to include all the patients aged of 55 years or more. Data were collected by questionnaire: age, gender, BMI, ethnical origin, personal and family history, smoking, alcohol consumption, sun exposure, food habits (fruits, vegetables, fat fish), food supplements, iris color, cataract surgery, refraction, fundusResults 1183 subjects included, 68 presented ARMD, 288 ARM and 82. People less than 65 years old were 37% and 40% were between 65 and 75 years old and most of them were Caucasian (90%) and 10% black. Factors significantly correlated to ARM and ARMD are: black‐African (OR: 9.25 and 19.04 for ARM and ARMD respectively), arthrosclerosis (OR: 3.28 and 1.94), family history of ARMD (OR: 4.48, significant for ARMD only), beer consumption (OR: 9.93 and 14.36), cataract surgery (OR: 1.71 and 2.71), myopia (OR: 3.74 and 5.61), hypermetropia (OR: 1.91)Conclusion This study is in line with risk factors already described, including the most rfactors already described, including the most recently pointed out ‐refraction troubles‐ and shows relevant variations between North‐African Caucasian living in their country and those living in Italy. Nevertheless, these preliminary results must be validated by further studies in order to find why there is a difference.