Assessment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) risk factors in AMD patients and healthy people over 40 years old in the Polish population

Aim of the study
To assess the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) risk factors in the Polish population of AMD patients and healthy individ-uals over 40 years of age.

Material and methods
The Simplified Thea AMD Risk-Assessment Scale (STARS) was performed on people aged over 40 years old including AMD patients in Poland. The questionnaire contained questions about demographics and AMD risk factors.

Results
Data were obtained from 233 adults (65% were female). 54% of participants were in the age range of 40-64, 23% in the range 65-74 and 23% in the 75+ group. Age-related macular degeneration was reported in 90 cases, more often in adults over 65 years old (p < 0.001). Patients with AMD were more frequently diagnosed with hypertension (p = 0.006), hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.002) and arteriosclerosis (p = 0.03) compared to adults without AMD. Phacoemulsification procedures had been performed more often in the AMD group compared to the healthy one (p < 0.001). Smoking was more common in people with AMD (p = 0.004). STARS median score in the overall group was 9.5 points (0-30). The score was significantly higher in the AMD group compared with the no AMD group (p < 0.001). The distribution between low, moderate and high risk groups was respectively 32%, 60% and 13% in the AMD group, and 75%, 24% and 1% in the healthy group; the difference was statistically signif-icant (p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Most AMD risk factors included in the questionnaire occurred more often in AMD patients. Therefore, it could be useful in determining the high risk of AMD in the Polish population. Moreover, there is a need for wider education about healthy lifestyle which influences AMD risk.