Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39930367›Full record

SynthesisBMC ophthalmology2025

Risk factors for wet macular degeneration: a systematic review, with novel insights from the Scottish Heart Health Extended Cohort.

Catherine A Fitton, Madeleine M R Quigley, Jill J F Belch

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC ophthalmology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Catherine A FittonDivision of Molecular & Clinical Medicine, Mailbox 1, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK.
Madeleine M R QuigleyDivision of Molecular & Clinical Medicine, Mailbox 1, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK.
Jill J F BelchDivision of Molecular & Clinical Medicine, Mailbox 1, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK. j.j.f.belch@dundee.ac.uk.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of vision loss worldwide. This study aimed to assess risk factors for wet AMD by two methods: assessing risk factors measured in the Scottish Heart Health Extended Cohort (SHHEC), and to systematically review the literature.

methodsEighteen thousand one hundred seven volunteers were recruited to SHHEC between 1984-1995, with risk factor data collected on recruitment. Hospital records were linked to study data up to 2017 and survival analysis was used to analyse risk factors and wet AMD. Literature published between 2000-2023 was searched for studies assessing risk factors for wet AMD, resulting in 5,503 papers. Following review, 7 studies were included in the systematic review.

resultsWithin the SHHEC data, 231 cases of wet AMD were reported. Increasing age (Hazard Ratio (HR) 10.51; 99% Confidence Interval (CI) 4.78-23.11) and smoking (HR 1.67; 99% CI 1.17-2.38) were significantly associated with an increased risk of wet AMD. Increased dietary intake of vitamin K (HR 0.56; 99% CI 0.34-0.94) was associated with a decreased risk of wet AMD. According to a systematic review, smoking, high Body mass index, heavy alcohol intake, increased systolic blood pressure, increased pulse pressure, and high levels of C-reactive protein and serum triglycerides in the blood may be associated with an increased risk of wet AMD. However, the studies provide mixed evidence and no conclusive results.

conclusionWe have demonstrated that increasing age and smoking are high-risk factors for the development of wet AMD, while vitamin K is associated with a reduced risk of wet AMD.

Indexed as

Wet Macular DegenerationAgedFemaleHumansIncidenceMaleMiddle AgedRisk FactorsScotlandCigarette smokingMacular degenerationRisk factors

Identifiers

PMID39930367
PMCPMC11809110

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.