Identification of risk factors for the progression of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

BackgroundAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal degenerative disease that primarily affects the elderly population and is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. There is a lack of research comprehensively examining the risk factors for AMD progression. This study aimed to iden...

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Main Authors: Moqi Tian, Baike Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1544765/full
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author Moqi Tian
Baike Zhang
author_facet Moqi Tian
Baike Zhang
author_sort Moqi Tian
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal degenerative disease that primarily affects the elderly population and is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. There is a lack of research comprehensively examining the risk factors for AMD progression. This study aimed to identify the risk factors influencing the development of AMD using a meta-analysis approach.MethodsWe systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from their inception until November 2024. Summary effect estimates were assigned as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random effects model. Further exploratory analyses included sensitivity and sub-group analyses.ResultsEighteen cohort studies involving 38,697 individuals were included in the final meta-analysis. We noted male versus female was associated with a reduced risk of AMD (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.72–0.98; p = 0.027). The identified risk factors for AMD included per 5-year increment in age (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.09–1.19; p < 0.001), current smoking (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.07–1.52; p = 0.007), alcohol intake (OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.00–1.67; p = 0.046), per 1 mmol/L increment in high-density lipoprotein (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.08–1.36; p = 0.001), total drusen >10% of the grid (OR: 7.85; 95% CI: 4.66–13.23; p < 0.001), presence of depigmentation (OR: 6.39; 95% CI: 2.48–16.44; p < 0.001), presence of hyperpigmentation (OR: 6.03; 95% CI: 1.94–18.73; p = 0.002), and >10 small drusen (OR: 7.21; 95% CI: 2.10–24.72; p = 0.002).ConclusionThis study systematically identified the risk factors for AMD progression, and exploratory analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for early and late AMD. Patients at high risk of AMD should be monitored to improve modifiable risk factors and slow the progression of AMD.Systematic review registrationINPLASY platform (INPLASY2024120036).
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spelling doaj-art-cd791977a71a48529683283a7d4f61ea2025-08-20T03:14:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-07-011210.3389/fmed.2025.15447651544765Identification of risk factors for the progression of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studiesMoqi Tian0Baike Zhang1The Fifth Clinical Medical College of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaDepartment of Ophthalmology, 988th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force, Zhengzhou, ChinaBackgroundAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal degenerative disease that primarily affects the elderly population and is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. There is a lack of research comprehensively examining the risk factors for AMD progression. This study aimed to identify the risk factors influencing the development of AMD using a meta-analysis approach.MethodsWe systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from their inception until November 2024. Summary effect estimates were assigned as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random effects model. Further exploratory analyses included sensitivity and sub-group analyses.ResultsEighteen cohort studies involving 38,697 individuals were included in the final meta-analysis. We noted male versus female was associated with a reduced risk of AMD (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.72–0.98; p = 0.027). The identified risk factors for AMD included per 5-year increment in age (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.09–1.19; p < 0.001), current smoking (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.07–1.52; p = 0.007), alcohol intake (OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.00–1.67; p = 0.046), per 1 mmol/L increment in high-density lipoprotein (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.08–1.36; p = 0.001), total drusen >10% of the grid (OR: 7.85; 95% CI: 4.66–13.23; p < 0.001), presence of depigmentation (OR: 6.39; 95% CI: 2.48–16.44; p < 0.001), presence of hyperpigmentation (OR: 6.03; 95% CI: 1.94–18.73; p = 0.002), and >10 small drusen (OR: 7.21; 95% CI: 2.10–24.72; p = 0.002).ConclusionThis study systematically identified the risk factors for AMD progression, and exploratory analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for early and late AMD. Patients at high risk of AMD should be monitored to improve modifiable risk factors and slow the progression of AMD.Systematic review registrationINPLASY platform (INPLASY2024120036).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1544765/fullage-related macular degenerationrisk factorsprogressionsystematic reviewmeta-analysis
spellingShingle Moqi Tian
Baike Zhang
Identification of risk factors for the progression of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
Frontiers in Medicine
age-related macular degeneration
risk factors
progression
systematic review
meta-analysis
title Identification of risk factors for the progression of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_full Identification of risk factors for the progression of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_fullStr Identification of risk factors for the progression of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_full_unstemmed Identification of risk factors for the progression of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_short Identification of risk factors for the progression of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
title_sort identification of risk factors for the progression of age related macular degeneration a systematic review and meta analysis of cohort studies
topic age-related macular degeneration
risk factors
progression
systematic review
meta-analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1544765/full
work_keys_str_mv AT moqitian identificationofriskfactorsfortheprogressionofagerelatedmaculardegenerationasystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcohortstudies
AT baikezhang identificationofriskfactorsfortheprogressionofagerelatedmaculardegenerationasystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcohortstudies