Patient Knowledge of Risk Factors for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Purpose

To assess patient knowledge of risk factors for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and its relationship to vision-related quality of life.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

We analyzed data from the I-OPTA Questionnaire Study, a large electronic/telephone survey conducted exclusively among 346 patients diagnosed with nAMD. The included questions covered tobacco smoking, physical activity, use of AREDS2 supplement, and vision-related quality of life (VR-QoL), as measured by the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25).

Results

Regarding risk factors, 65.0 % had a history of tobacco smoking, and 63.0 % followed the Danish Health Authority's recommendation of 30 min of daily physical activity. Among tobacco smokers, 73.0 % were aware of its potential contribution to nAMD, and 3.9 % had quit tobacco smoking due to their retinal diagnosis. Regarding physical inactivity, 10.8 % reported that they were informed of its potential contribution to nAMD, and 2.6 % had increased their physical activity due to nAMD. In patients eligible for AREDS2 supplement use, 22.2 % reported taking AREDS2 supplements of which 73.0 % adhered to the recommended dose. In our adjusted analysis, VR-QoL was not associated to tobacco smoking (β:1.82, 95 % CI -7.48, 3.84) or use of AREDS2 supplement (β:2.36, 95 % CI -7.61, 2.88), but physical active patients had significantly higher VR-QoL compared to not physical active patients (β: 6.15, 95 % CI 2.50, 9.80).

Conclusion

Among patients with nAMD, awareness of risk factors was limited, and even fewer altered their habits because of their eye disease. Patients engaging in physical activity had significantly higher VR-QoL.