Patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Spain display a high cardiovascular risk

Cardiovascular disease and its risk factors may have a significant role in the development of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NV-AMD). This study aims to assess the impact of these factors in this population and define their level of cardiovascular risk according to the Framingham model.

This was a cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study that included patients aged 50 years or older who attended ophthalmic centers for the diagnosis or follow-up of NV-AMD. Information collected included demographic and AMD data, a complete history of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, lipid profile, blood pressure, and treatment history.

The study population consisted of 901 patients, predominantly Caucasian, with a mean age of 75.7 years, receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for their NV-AMD in 77.7% of the cases. Blood pressure measurement during the study visit and lipid analyses revealed poor control in 67.7% and 93.3% of the patients, respectively. Hypertension was the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor (77.7%), followed by a history of cardiac disease or other forms of atherosclerotic disease (53.8%). Diabetes was present in 28% of the subjects. The study population was considered a high-risk population according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel Clinical Guidelines (NCEP ATP III), with a probability of a cardiovascular event in 10 years of 19.3% according to the Framingham model.

This NV-AMD population is associated with a significant cardiovascular risk, and the Framingham model can help us identify those subjects with higher risk levels in order to improve their overall management.