Association of Serum Complement C1q and C3 Level with Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Women

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Immunology
• Genetics

Background:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
• The role of the complement system in AMD pathogenesis is increasingly recognized.
• Specific complement components may serve as biomarkers for AMD risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between serum levels of complement components C1q, C3, and C4 and the presence of AMD.
• To determine if these associations differ between sexes.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 118 AMD patients and 106 healthy controls, matched for age and sex.
• Serum levels of C1q, C3, and C4 were measured.
• Statistical analyses, including logistic regression, were performed, with subgroup analysis by sex.

Main Results:

• Female AMD patients exhibited significantly higher C1q and lower C3 levels compared to female controls.
• Increased C1q and decreased C3 were identified as independent risk factors for AMD in females.
• No significant associations were found in male patients.

Conclusions:

• Elevated C1q and reduced C3 are associated with an increased risk of developing AMD, especially in women.
• These findings implicate the complement classical pathway in AMD pathogenesis.
• Complement component levels may offer insights into AMD risk stratification, particularly for females.