Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

A Phenotyping Regimen for Genetically Modified Mice Used to Study Genes Implicated in Human Diseases of Aging
Published on: July 14, 2016
Smoking and the risk of age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis
Rihong Cong1, Bo Zhou, Qingmin Sun
1Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Purpose:
Some studies were undertaken to evaluate the association between cigarette smoking and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This meta-analysis summarized the risk estimate of smoking and AMD and provided robust evidence for the association.
Methods:
Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and MEDLINE (from 1966 to June 2007) and reviewing the reference lists of key articles. The summary relative risk ratio (RR) or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Study-specific risk estimates were pooled using a random-effects model.
Results:
Five prospective cohort and eight case-control studies met our inclusion criteria. Ever smoking was statistically significant associated with increased risk of AMD among cohort studies (RR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.01-2.57) or case-control studies (RR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.56-1.99). Current smokers were at higher risk of AMD than past smokers. Both geographic atrophy (GA) and neovascular AMD (NV) are subtypes of AMD. A significant relationship was found between smoking and GA risk. Smoking increased the risk of NV, with marginal nonsignificance (RR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.92-2.37) in cohort studies and significance in case-control studies (RR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.69-2.27).
Conclusions:
This meta-analysis indicated smoking, especially current smoking, was significantly associated with increased risks of AMD and its subtypes.
Related Concept Videos
Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism