This study aimed to see whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and handgrip strength are associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Study analysed data from 1173 adult men and women aged 20–79 years. Fundus photography of the central retina was recorded with a non-mydriatic camera, and images were graded according to an established clinical AMD classification scale by an experienced reader. CRF was measured using peak oxygen uptake (peakVO2), oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold (VO2@AT), and maximum power output (Wmax) from standardised cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a bicycle ergometer according to a modified Jones protocol. Handgrip strength was assessed using a handheld dynamometer. Adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) for the associations of peakVO2, VO2@AT, Wmax and handgrip strength with AMD were derived from multivariable Poisson regression models.
PeakVO2, VO2@AT, Wmax and handgrip strength were not associated with AMD. Adjusted PR for AMD associated with a 1-SD increment in peakVO2, VO2@AT, Wmax and handgrip strength were 1.05 (95% CI 0.82 to 1.34), 0.96 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.18), 1.10 (95% CI 0.86 to 1.41) and 1.01 (95% CI 0.79 to 1.30), respectively. These associations were not modified by age, sex, smoking, body mass index and diabetes. Estimates in sensitivity analysis for confounding, selection bias and missing data were similar.
This study concluded that CRF and handgrip strength has no association to AMD.
Reference: https://bjo.bmj.com/content/early/2020/10/07/bjophthalmol-2020-316255
