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The rate of myocardial infarction events among patients with age-related macular degeneration: a population-based
Shani Golan1, Varda Shalev, Michaela Goldstein
1Department of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel. shanigol2@walla.com
Insights
This study found no increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Despite shared risk factors, AMD did not elevate MI risk in this large health maintenance organization cohort.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and myocardial infarction (MI) share common risk factors.
- Understanding the potential association between AMD and cardiovascular events is crucial for comprehensive patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the risk of myocardial infarction (MI).
- To determine if AMD diagnosis increases the likelihood of experiencing an MI in a large healthcare setting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study at Maccabi Healthcare Services.
- Included 6,546 patients with AMD and 61,672 matched controls aged ≥65 years.
- Followed participants to assess incident myocardial infarction events using Cox proportional hazard models.
Main Results:
- The incidence of MI was 5.1 per 1,000 person-years in the AMD group and 4.2 per 1,000 person-years in the non-AMD group.
- The age- and gender-adjusted hazard ratio for MI in AMD patients was 1.01 (95% CI: 0.85-1.20).
- The fully adjusted hazard ratio for MI associated with AMD was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.87-1.22).
Conclusions:
- No statistically significant increased risk of myocardial infarction was observed in patients with age-related macular degeneration.
- Shared risk factors do not translate to a higher incidence of MI among AMD patients.
- Findings suggest AMD is not an independent risk factor for MI.
Purpose:
To examine the association between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the risk of myocardial infarctions (MIs) in a large health maintenance organization.
Design:
A retrospective cohort study carried out at Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS).
Participants:
A total of 6,546 patients aged ≥65 years who were diagnosed with AMD between April 18 1996 and June 6 2008, and 61,672 non-AMD patients frequency-matched for age and gender.
Methods:
Participants were retrospectively followed to the day of leaving the MHS, to undergoing an MI, or to closure of the study on July 1 2008, whichever came earlier. The relative risk of MI associated with AMD was estimated using the Cox proportional hazard model.
Main Outcome Measures:
Incident myocardial infarction events.
Results:
During the study period, there were 159 (5.1 per 1,000 person years [PY]) and 2,997 (4.2 per 1,000 PY) MIs respectively in the AMD and non-AMD patient groups. The age- and gender-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of MI among AMD patients was 1.01 (95%CI: 0.85-1.20). Baseline medical characteristics associated with increased risk of mortality included diabetes mellitus, hypertension, older age, and male gender. The fully adjusted HR associated with AMD was 1.03 (95%CI: 0.87-1.22).
Conclusion:
Despite the shared risk factors associated with AMD and MIs, we found no increased risk of MI in AMD patients.
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