PubMed ID: 17210854
Author(s): Tikellis G, Sun C, Gorin MB, Klein R, Klein BE, Larsen EK, Siscovick DS, Hubbard LD, Wong TY. Apolipoprotein E gene and age-related maculopathy in older individuals: the Cardiovascular Health Study. Arch Ophthalmol. 2007 Jan;125(1):68-73. PMID 17210854
Journal: Archives Of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960), Volume 125, Issue 1, Jan 2007
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene and age-related maculopathy (ARM) in an older population.
METHODS Two thousand one hundred seventy persons 65 years and older sampled from 4 US communities had ARM signs assessed from retinal photographs using a modified Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System. DNA extracted from blood samples was analyzed for common APOE alleles.
RESULTS After controlling for age, sex, cigarette smoking, and other factors, white participants carrying the epsilon2 allele had an increased risk of late ARM (odds ratio, 2.53 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-5.90]) while carriers of the epsilon4 allele had a lower risk of late ARM (odds ratio, 0.69 [95% confidence interval, 0.19-2.50]). There were too few late ARM cases in African American individuals for analysis.
CONCLUSION APOE polymorphism is associated with late ARM in older white persons 65 years and older. Consistent with previous studies, the APOE epsilon2 allele is associated with a significant increased risk of late ARM development, whereas the epsilon4 allele may confer some protection.