Thyroid disease associated with higher AMD risk

Thyroid disease is associated with higher age-related macular degeneration (AMD) risk, according to a study.

In this meta-analysis, 13 epidemiologic studies (7 on thyroid disease and 7 on thyroid medication) were included. Statistically significant heterogeneity was found in 80.1% of the studies on thyroid disease and 69% of the thyroid medication studies. A significant positive association was found between thyroid disease and AMD. The overall relative risk (RR) was 1.25 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.54). No statistical association was found between thyroid medication and AMD risk. Egger’s test found no significant publication bias for thyroid disease or thyroid medication.

The authors concluded that “Thyroid disease prevention strategies may have a significant effect on the prevention of AMD and warrant further evaluation.”

Reference
Xu Z, Zhang M, Zhang Q, et al. Thyroid disease is associated with higher age-related macular degeneration risk: results from a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies. Ophthalmic Res. https://doi.org/10.1159/000515273