Age-related maculopathy and consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits in urban elderly

Medicina (Kaunas). 2003;39(12):1231-6.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the rate of age-related maculopathy among elderly males and females in relation to frequency of consumption of fresh vegetables and fruit. During ophthalmological investigation of Kaunas city inhabitants aged 65-74 years (240 males and 206 females) age-related maculopathy (early and late) was determined for 22.1% of males and 20.4% of females. Frequency of usage of fresh (uncooked) vegetables and fruits in winter-spring and in summer-autumn seasons by investigated persons was determined, using food frequency questionnaire. In this work an association between age-related maculopathy and usage of vegetables and fruits has been investigated in 170 males and 181 females aged 65-74 years without diabetes who never smoked; age-related maculopathy was found for 18.8% of males and 17.7% of females. Obtained data have demonstrated an inverse association between consumption of vegetables during winter-spring season and age-related maculopathy: usage of vegetables two times a week or more versus usage less than two times a week decreases prevalence of age-related maculopathy 2.0 times among males (OR=0.42; 95% CI 0.18-1.0; p=0.05) and 2.2 times among females (OR=0.37; 95% CI 0.15-0.9; p=0.02). Data have demonstrated a tendency that increasing consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits during both seasons can reduce risk of age-related maculopathy among females. In conclusion, characteristic for Lithuanian urban elderly rare usage of fresh vegetables during winter-spring season can increase risk of age-related maculopathy independently from other risk factors.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Diet*
  • Female
  • Fruit
  • Humans
  • Lithuania / epidemiology
  • Macular Degeneration / diagnosis
  • Macular Degeneration / epidemiology*
  • Macular Degeneration / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Seasons
  • Sex Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urban Population
  • Vegetables