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Inflammatory markers in age-related maculopathy: cross-sectional analysis from the Muenster Aging and Retina Study
Burkhard Dasch1, Andrea Fuhs, Thomas Behrens
1Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Muenster, Germany.
Objective:
To evaluate recent reports indicating that plasma levels of fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with age-related maculopathy (ARM).
Methods:
From the baseline examinations of the Muenster Aging and Retina Study, a cohort of 1060 subjects aged 59 to 82 years was assembled. Of these, 873 persons (82%) with bilateral gradable fundus photographs and complete data on fibrinogen, CRP, and potential confounders were included in a cross-sectional analysis. The main outcome measure was the association among fibrinogen, CRP, and ARM as assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Results:
Fibrinogen and CRP levels were higher among participants with early and late ARM than among those without ARM. The crude odds ratios for ARM between the highest vs the lowest quartile were 1.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-2.80) for fibrinogen and 1.43 (95% CI, 0.97-2.10) for CRP. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, these odds ratios were 1.37 for fibrinogen (95% CI, 0.91-2.06) and 1.12 (95% CI, 0.73-1.73) for CRP.
Conclusions:
After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, we found no statistically significant association between fibrogen, CRP, and ARM. Therefore, our results do not indicate a role of systemic inflammation in ARM beyond what is already present owing to concurrent cardiovascular disease.
Insights
Plasma fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were not significantly associated with age-related maculopathy (ARM) after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting no independent role for systemic inflammation in ARM.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
- Inflammation research
Background:
- Plasma fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) are inflammatory markers.
- Previous reports suggest a potential association between these markers and age-related maculopathy (ARM).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma fibrinogen, CRP levels, and ARM.
- To determine if systemic inflammation plays a role in ARM independent of cardiovascular disease.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 873 subjects (aged 59-82) from the Muenster Aging and Retina Study.
- Assessment of ARM using gradable fundus photographs.
- Multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate associations, adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Results:
- Higher fibrinogen and CRP levels were observed in participants with ARM compared to those without.
- Crude odds ratios for ARM were 1.90 for fibrinogen and 1.43 for CRP (highest vs. lowest quartile).
- After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, these associations were no longer statistically significant (fibrinogen OR 1.37, CRP OR 1.12).
Conclusions:
- No statistically significant association was found between fibrinogen, CRP, and ARM after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.
- The findings do not support a role for systemic inflammation in ARM beyond that associated with concurrent cardiovascular disease.
- Further research may be needed to elucidate the complex relationship between inflammation, cardiovascular health, and retinal diseases.
