gms | German Medical Science

102. Jahrestagung der DOG

Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft e. V.

23. bis 26.09.2004, Berlin

Serum levels of macular carotenoids in relation to age-related maculopathy (ARM): results of the Muenster Age and Retina Study (MARS)

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author B. Dasch - Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Muenster
  • A. Wachter - Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Muenster; Ophthalmology Department, St. Franziskus Hospital, Muenster
  • T. Behrens - Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Muenster
  • A. Fuhs - Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Muenster
  • D. Pauleikhoff - Ophthalmology Department, St. Franziskus Hospital, Muenster
  • H.W. Hense - Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Muenster

Evidenzbasierte Medizin - Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. 102. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft. Berlin, 23.-26.09.2004. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2004. Doc04dogP 156

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dog2004/04dog647.shtml

Published: September 22, 2004

© 2004 Dasch et al.
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Outline

Text

Objective

It has been suggested that macular carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, may protect against age-related maculopathy (ARM). We evaluated the association between blood concentrations of macular carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin) and age-related maculopathy.

Methods

The Muenster Age and Retina Study (MARS) is a prospective study which investigates factors associated with the progression of ARM. At baseline, about 1,060 patients underwent physical and ophthalmological examination and a detailed interview. Blood was collected for biochemical analysis. The ARM status was assessed by standardized grading of digital fundus photographs. The association between serum concentrations of the macular carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, and the prevalence of ARM was assessed univariately and adjusted for cofactors by multiple logistic regression.

Results

After exclusion of patients with lutein or zeaxanthin supplementation (n=143), we included 312 male and 456 female participants in the analysis (mean age 70.9±5.5 years, 59.4% female). 23.6% had a normal bilateral fundus, 48.0% showed signs of early ARM (uni- or bilateral) and 28.4% of late ARM (in at least one eye). No association was observed between serum levels of lutein or zeaxanthin and the presence of ARM. The odds ratios (OR) for the highest vs. lowest quartile were 0.80 (95%-CI, 0.50-1.28) for lutein and 0.86 (95%-CI, 0.53-1.40) for zeaxanthin. After control for age, gender, smoking and dyslipidemia, the odds ratios for lutein (0.92; 95%-CI, 0.53-1.60) and zeaxanthin (0.92; 95%-CI, 0.53-1.61) remained essentially unchanged.

Conclusions

In this baseline assessment of a large cohort study, no relation was found between serum concentrations of the macular carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, and the prevalence of age-related maculopathy (ARM).