Korean J Geriatr Gerontol.  2023 Dec;24(3):104-114. 10.15656/kjcg.2023.24.3.104.

Relationship between Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Hyperuricemia Based on the 7th and 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

• Kim S

• KMID: 2566362
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15656/kjcg.2023.24.3.104

Abstract

Background
Previous studies on the relationship between serum uric acid levels and age-related macular degeneration have shown inconsistent and conflicting results. This study aimed to evaluate the association of age-related macular degeneration with serum uric acid levels and hyperuricemia in females and males.
Methods
Multiple linear and logistic regression models were applied to data from the 7th and 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to evaluate the association of age-related macular degeneration with serum uric acid levels and hyperuricemia, adjusting for potential confounding factors in females and males aged 40 years or older.
Results
A total of 6,936 females and 5,773 males were included in the study. With adjustments for confounding factors, a mean serum uric acid level in males with age-related macular degeneration was 0.20 mg/dL lower (95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.29) than that in males without age-related macular degeneration (P<0.001). Moreover, the odds of age-related macular degeneration was significantly lower in males with hyperuricemia than in those without hyperuricemia (adjusted odds ratio, 0.70 [95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.90]; P=0.006). When analyzed separately by age group in females and males, this inverse association was particularly evident in males aged less than 60 years and those aged 80 years or more.
Conclusion
These findings provide evidence of an inverse association of age-related macular degeneration with serum uric acid levels and hyperuricemia, particularly in males.

Keyword

Hyperuricemia; Macular degeneration; Uric acid