Epidemiology of age-related macular degeneration among elderly in geriatric homes, East Cairo, Egypt
Abstract Background Visual impairment is one of the main causes of years lived with disability among adults 65 and older worldwide, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD). Both ageing and visual impairment are linked to an increased risk of falling, accounting for 40% of all injury-re...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23680-6 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background Visual impairment is one of the main causes of years lived with disability among adults 65 and older worldwide, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD). Both ageing and visual impairment are linked to an increased risk of falling, accounting for 40% of all injury-related deaths among older adults. Objective To determine the prevalence of AMD among a sample of elderly residing in geriatric homes, identify associated factors of AMD, and to find out the effect of AMD on fall frequency in the studied group. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 283 elderly people in thirty geriatric homes in East Cairo. Data was collected using a structured interview questionnaire, and fundus examination for diagnosis. Results The average age of study participants was 73.18 ± 7.09 (60–96) years. AMD was present in 12.7% of the patients. Early AMD was present in 58.4% of AMD patients, whereas 8.3% and 33.3% of the participants had late dry and late wet AMD, respectively. Bilateral AMD was found in 38.9%, compared to 61.1% who had unilateral AMD. Compared to other age groups, the prevalence of AMD was significantly higher in people aging 75 + years. About 47.2% of participants diagnosed with AMD were current smokers. Out of the participants diagnosed with AMD, 72.2% were diabetics and 91.7% were hypertensives. About 52.8% and 36.1% of AMD participants had moderate and high risk of fall according to the Morse Fall scale, respectively, while 52.7% and 30.6% of them had moderate and severe ADL impairment and scored below average in the IADL questionnaire compared to their normal peers. Conclusion The prevalence of AMD in Egypt is higher than previously documented. The most common form of AMD was early, and the late wet variety was second. Important non-modifiable risk factors for AMD include advancing age, being a woman, and having a positive family history of the disease. Additionally, smoking, diabetes, and hypertension are important risk factors for AMD. Vitamin A consumption appears to offer some protection against AMD. Compared to older adults without AMD, AMD patients had a higher risk of falls and more impairment in ADL and IADL. |
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| ISSN: | 1471-2458 |