Statin use and the five-year incidence and progression of age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To examine the association of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) with the five-year incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

DESIGN: Population-based cohort study.

METHODS: settings: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. study population: Participants included persons 53 to 96 years of age at examination in 1998 to 2000 (n = 2,962), of whom 2,204 participated in a follow-up five years later. observation procedures: Standardized procedures were used for physical examinations, blood collection, and questionnaire administration. AMD was determined by grading images of the posterior pole using a standard protocol. Standard univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. main outcome measures: Incident early and late AMD and progressed AMD.

RESULTS: There were 1,347 and 1,638 persons not using statins and 339 and 429 using statins at the 1998 to 2000 examination at risk of early and late AMD, respectively. The unadjusted five-year incidence of early and late AMD, respectively, was 5.9% and 1.8% in those not using statins and 6.8% and 2.3% in those using statins. While controlling for age, gender, smoking status, and multivitamin use, a history of statin use was not associated with the five-year incidence of early AMD (odds ratio [OR] 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71 to 1.91, P = .55), progression of AMD (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.78, P = .51) or incidence of late AMD (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.60 to 2.69. P = .53).

CONCLUSION: These findings do not show an association between statin use and the incidence or progression of AMD over a five-year period.