Abstract
This case-control study reports the association between nutrient intake and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Japan. The nutrient intake of 161 neovascular AMD cases from two university hospitals and 369 population-based control subjects from a cohort study was assessed using a brief-type self-administered questionnaire on diet history, which required respondent recall of the usual intake of 58 foods during the preceding month. Energy-adjusted nutrient intake values were compared between the groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs adjusted for smoking history, age, sex, chronic disease history, supplement use, and alcohol consumption. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that low intakes of n-3 fatty acid, α-tocopherol, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C, and β-carotene were associated with neovascular AMD (Trend P < 0.0001 for n-3 fatty acid, Trend P < 0.0001 for α-tocopherol, Trend P < 0.0001 for zinc, Trend P = 0.002 for vitamin D, Trend P = 0.04 for vitamin C, Trend P = 0.0004 for β-carotene). There was no association with retinol or cryptoxanthin intake and neovascular AMD (P = 0.67, 0.06).
Highlights
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has a strong genetic component; modifiable factors such as smoking history, antioxidant supplement intake, and diet are associated with slower progression of early- to advanced-stage neovascular AMD1–3
These findings suggest that higher dietary intake of n-3 fatty acid, α -tocopherol, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C, and β -carotene could contribute to a reduced risk of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in elderly patients in Japan
No study has investigated the effect of n-3 fatty acid intake at higher doses than those included in the typical Japanese diet on neovascular AMD
Summary
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has a strong genetic component; modifiable factors such as smoking history, antioxidant supplement intake, and diet are associated with slower progression of early- to advanced-stage neovascular AMD1–3. There is consistent evidence from a decade of epidemiologic observations in several populations that high intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, present in oily fish, is associated with reduced risk[4,5,6]. It has been postulated that high intake of dietary n-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk or slow the progression of AMD development[7,8]. In line with this assumption, consumption of fatty fish such as salmon and tuna has been shown to increase serum n-3 fatty acid concentrations[9]. Other nutritional factors thought to be related to neovascular AMD are consumption of β -carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E (α -tocophemol), and zinc[10], this association remains controversial, with some studies www.nature.com/scientificreports/
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