XML Feed for RxPG News   Add RxPG News Headlines to My Yahoo!   Javascript Syndication for RxPG News

Research Health World General
 
  Home
 
 Latest Research
 Cancer
 Psychiatry
 Genetics
 Surgery
 Aging
 Ophthalmology
  Cornea
  Cataract
  Retina
   ARMD
 Gynaecology
 Neurosciences
 Pharmacology
 Cardiology
 Obstetrics
 Infectious Diseases
 Respiratory Medicine
 Pathology
 Endocrinology
 Immunology
 Nephrology
 Gastroenterology
 Biotechnology
 Radiology
 Dermatology
 Microbiology
 Haematology
 Dental
 ENT
 Environment
 Embryology
 Orthopedics
 Metabolism
 Anaethesia
 Paediatrics
 Public Health
 Urology
 Musculoskeletal
 Clinical Trials
 Physiology
 Biochemistry
 Cytology
 Traumatology
 Rheumatology
 
 Medical News
 Health
 Opinion
 Healthcare
 Professionals
 Launch
 Awards & Prizes
 
 Careers
 Medical
 Nursing
 Dental
 
 Special Topics
 Euthanasia
 Ethics
 Evolution
 Odd Medical News
 Feature
 
 World News
 Tsunami
 Epidemics
 Climate
 Business
 
 India
Search

Last Updated: Nov 18, 2006 - 12:32:53 PM

ARMD Channel
subscribe to ARMD newsletter

Latest Research : Ophthalmology : Retina : ARMD

   DISCUSS   |   EMAIL   |   PRINT
High Body Mass Index Increase the Genetic Risk of AMD
Jul 1, 2006 - 5:41:00 PM, Reviewed by: Dr. Priya Saxena

�There is no question that genetic factors play an important role in this disease. However, individuals with the risk genotype may be more motivated to adhere to healthy lifestyles such as not smoking, maintaining a normal weight, getting exercise, eating an antioxidant rich diet, as well as fish, and getting exercise.�

 
Current cigarette smoking was associated with a fivefold increased risk and high BMI (30 or higher) was associated with a twofold higher risk of AMD. The homozygous risk genotype (CC) plus smoking conferred a tenfold higher risk of AMD, compared with non-smokers with the non-risk (TT) genotype, while the risk genotype plus higher BMI increased risk of AMD almost sixfold. Gene plus environment risk scores provided an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.70-0.75. The attributable risks for the combination of genes and environment were 69% to 73%.

Subjects in this study were Caucasians who had either advanced AMD (574 people) or no evidence of AMD (280 individuals), based on ocular examination and ocular photographs. DNA samples were obtained from the genetic repository of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) clinical trial for which Johanna M. Seddon, M.D., director of the Epidemiology Unit at MEEI and an associate professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, was clinic director at MEEI. DNA samples were genotyped at the Broad Institute Center for Genotyping and Analysis, Boston, Mass. and statistical analyses were done in the Epidemiology Unit at MEEI.

�These findings convey an important message. Although we cannot change our genotype, we can alter or modify our risk of getting AMD by controlling our weight and not smoking,� said Dr. Seddon. �There is no question that genetic factors play an important role in this disease. However, individuals with the risk genotype may be more motivated to adhere to healthy lifestyles such as not smoking, maintaining a normal weight, getting exercise, eating an antioxidant rich diet, as well as fish, and getting exercise.�

AMD is the leading cause of irreversible visual impairment and blindness among persons aged 60 and older. With the elderly population steadily growing, the burden related to this loss of visual function will increase. Limited treatment options exist for the late stages of the disease and prevention remains a promising approach for addressing this public health concern.
 

- These findings are published online now in the journal Human Heredity.
 

www.meei.harvard.edu

 
Subscribe to ARMD Newsletter
E-mail Address:

 

Lead author Dr. Seddon and her colleagues have studied the genetics of AMD since 1989, and previously reported that the heritability of AMD is high (46% to 71%) in a cohort of WWII twins and that both genetic and environmental factors are involved (Arch Ophthalmol 2005), and that there is a familial aggregation (Am J Ophthalmol, 1997), as well as linkage of AMD to several chromosomes (Am J Hum Genetics 2003). A decade ago they reported the increased risk of AMD with cigarette smoking (JAMA 1996). They also reported the increased risk associated with higher body mass index or obesity (Arch Ophthalmol 2003). This article in Human Heredity is the first to combine both of these behavioral factors with genetic risk. Dr. Seddon and her colleagues have also found other cardiovascular risk factors to be related to AMD, including an increased risk with elevated C-reactive protein (JAMA 2004) and a reduced risk associated with fish and omega-3 fatty acid intake (Arch Ophthalmol 2001, 2003, 2006).

This most recent research was supported by the National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Md.; the Foundation Fighting Blindness Inc, Owing Mills, Md.; the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund Inc., Northboro, Mass.; a grant from the National Center for Research Resources to the Broad Institute Center for Genotyping and Analysis, Cambridge, Mass.; and the Epidemiology Unit Genetics of AMD Research Fund, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Mass.

Founded in 1824, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) is an independent specialty hospital providing patient care for disorders of the eye, ear, nose, throat, head and neck. MEEI is an international leader in Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology research and a teaching partner of Harvard Medical School.


Related ARMD News

Yellow plant pigments lutein and zeaxanthin reduce risk of age-related macular degeneration
Hormone Therapy Does Not Affect Age-Related Vision Loss
Eating Fish Protects Against Macular Degeneration
Research Highlights Risk Factors For Age-Related Vision Loss
FDA approves ranibizumab for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration
High Body Mass Index Increase the Genetic Risk of AMD
Ranibizumab Approved for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration
New genetic discovery explains 74 percent cases of age-related macular degeneration
Just two genes, Factor H and Factor B, cause blindness in millions
Antioxidants reduce risk of age-related macular degeneration


For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send any medical news or health news press releases, use feedback form

Top of Page

 

© Copyright 2004 onwards by RxPG Medical Solutions Private Limited
Contact Us