Age related maculopathy and diabetes

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Diabetology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Age-related maculopathy (ARM) is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
• Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease with known ocular complications.
• The relationship between diabetes and ARM prevalence requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the prevalence of age-related maculopathy (ARM) in a cohort of diabetic patients with the general population.
• To investigate differences in ARM prevalence based on age groups within the diabetic population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective prevalence study utilizing binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, biomicroscopy, and fluorescein angiography.
• Analysis of 1000 diabetic patient files, divided into age groups: 65-74 years (n=263) and 75+ years (n=199).
• Comparison of prevalence data with control groups and established epidemiological studies (Beaver Dam, Framingham, Blue Mountains, Rotterdam).

Main Results:

• Diabetic patients aged 75+ exhibited an ARM prevalence of 2.51% for early lesions and 2.51% for late lesions (ARMD).
• Significantly higher odds ratios for ARMD were observed in diabetic patients (75+) compared to general population studies, except for the Rotterdam study.
• Prevalence of ARM was notably lower in diabetic patients who also had diabetic retinopathy, irrespective of photocoagulation treatment.

Conclusions:

• A lower prevalence of ARM was observed in diabetic patients aged 75+ compared to the general population, with an exception noted for the Rotterdam study.
• Diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy demonstrated an even lower prevalence of ARM.
• The exudative form of ARM was more prevalent than the atrophic form in diabetic patients, contrasting with the general population's ratio.