Six-Year Incidence and Risk Factors of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Singaporean Indians: The Singapore Indian Eye Study

Sci Rep. 2018 Jun 11;8(1):8869. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-27202-w.

Abstract

We aimed to determine the 6-year incidence and risk factors of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in first and second generations of Singaporean Indians. Baseline examination was conducted in 2007-9 and 6-year propsective follow-up examination of this Indian population in 2013-5. All participants underwent interviews with questionnaires and comprehensive medical and eye examinations. Incidence was age-standardized to Singaporean 2010 census. Risk factors associated with AMD incidence were assessed and compared between first and second generations of immigrants. Among 2200 persons who participated in the follow-up examination (75.5% response rate), gradable fundus photographs were available in 2105. The 6-year age-standardized incidences of early and late AMD were 5.26% and 0.51% respectively. Incident early AMD was associated with cardiovascular disease history (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.04-2.45), underweight body mass index (BMI) (HR 3.12, 95% CI 1.37-7.14) (BMI of <18.5 vs 18.51-25 kg/m2), heavy alcohol drinking (HR 3.14 95% CI 1.25-7.89) and ARMS2 rs3750847 homozygous genetic loci carrier (HR 2.52, 95% CI 1.59-3.99). We found a relatively low incidence of early AMD in this Singaporean Indian population compared to Caucasian populations. Both first and second-generation Indian immigrants have similar incidence and risk factor patterns for early AMD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alcoholism / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Genetic Loci
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • India
  • Macular Degeneration / epidemiology*
  • Macular Degeneration / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Singapore / epidemiology
  • Thinness / epidemiology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • ARMS2 protein, human
  • Proteins