Correlation between Serum Lipids and Age-related Macular Degeneration: A Case-control Study

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of visual loss among people aged 65 yr and older. The pathophysiology of AMD is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum lipid concentrations and age-related macular degeneration. In this case-control study, total cholesterol (TCH), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride (TG) of 32 patients with AMD were compared with 32 subjects without AMD that were matched for age. Data were analyzed using Independent t and Chi-Square Tests. TCH, LDL, and TG serum concentrations were significantly higher in AMD patients compared with control group (P<0.001, P<0.001 and P<0.017 respectively). There was no difference in HDL concentration between two groups (P=0.781). High level of total cholesterol, TG and LDL were associated with increased risk of AMD. Results of this study suggest further research to better understand the underlying biological mechanisms of AMD related to serum cholesterol.