Trends and sociocultural factors for childhood overweight in La Reunion Island.

OBJECTIVE: To examine time trends (study 1) and sociocultural factors associated with childhood overweight (study 2) in La Reunion Island. DESIGN: Study 1: a longitudinal analysis of anthropometric data available from health services in the town of Saint-Pierre. Study 2: a case - control study. SUBJECTS: Study 1: 1753 children born between 1977 and 1996. Study 2: 101 six-year old overweight children sex-matched with 101 non-overweight children. MEASUREMENTS: Study 1: overweight at birth (birth weight>4 kg) and at age 4 and 6 using French references and references from the International Obesity Task Force. Study 2: parental and perinatal data, child's lifestyle and representation of food, all collected from the mother. RESULTS: Study 1: a dramatic increase in the prevalence rate of overweight at 4 and at 6 is observed, more severe in girls. Study 2: multivariate logistic regressions showed that mother's overweight was the only variable significantly associated with overweight in both the sexes. The other associated factors were related to sociocultural and family features and sedentarity. Logistic probability functions derived from these data are proposed as a tool for detection of at risk families. CONCLUSION: Our results show the need for a targeted prevention of overweight. We offer a proposal based on education and behaviour modification in La Reunion Island.

High prevalence of chronic kidney disease in La Réunion island and its association with the metabolic syndrome in the non-diabetic population: La Réunion Diabetes (REDIA) Study.

AIM: To estimate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in La Réunion island and to investigate the link with the metabolic syndrome in the non-diabetic population. METHODS: The Réunion Diabetes (REDIA) Study included a random sample of 3600 adults aged 30-69 years. Clinical proteinuria (>200 mg/g creatinine), albuminuria (>or=30 mg/g) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were studied in 920 subjects, 411 of whom had diabetes and 509 who did not. Their relations with the metabolic syndrome (as defined by the US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines) were analyzed among those without diabetes. RESULTS: Age-, gender- and diabetes-standardized prevalence of CKD stage 1 or 2 (proteinuria or albuminuria with eGFR>or=60 mL/min/1.73 m2) was 13.8% and, for CKD stage 3 or more (eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m2), 10.7%. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) for proteinuria increased with the number of metabolic syndrome traits: 1.5 (95% confidence interval, 0.4-5.2) in non-diabetic participants with one trait compared with those with no trait, 2.0 (CI 0.6-6.6) for two traits and 4.1 (CI 1.3-12.8) for three or more; corresponding ORs for eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were 1.9 (CI 0.8-4.5), 0.9 (CI 0.4-2.4) and 2.2 (CI 0.9-5.1), respectively. Clustering of either high blood pressure and triglyceride levels, or high triglycerides and plasma glucose, or all three, conferred the strongest associations with both clinical proteinuria and low eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: CKD prevalence is high in La Réunion island population, and the metabolic syndrome may help to target early diagnosis of CKD in non-diabetic individuals.

Health perceptions of diabetic patients in the REDIA study.

AIM: To explore the beliefs and perceptions of type 2 diabetic patients in La Réunion where the disease is highly prevalent (17.5% among 30-69 yr old subjects) with a strong link to the metabolic syndrome and nutritional habits. METHODS: Two sets of data were analysed. An 80-item questionnaire explored the perceptions of causal factors, knowledge of complications and therapeutic issues in 331 known diabetic patients included in the REDIA study. The data were completed by semi-structured interviews of 40 diabetic patients in a hospital setting. RESULTS: Perceived causal factors of diabetes are mainly sugar excess, heredity and stress or life events. Weight excess and lack of physical activity are virtually never mentioned as causes. Diabetes is predominantly perceived as potentially acute, with risk of coma and death. Its chronic and progressive nature is not appreciated, and chronic complications are not well understood, especially in poorly educated people. Only 33% of males and 42% of females are willing to change their nutritional habits and the role of fats is largely underestimated (30.2%) although 90% consider physical activity as an effective course of action. Most patients are tardy in the way that they adopt medical recommendations and treatment in the course of the disease. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the discrepancy between medical knowledge and patients' perceptions, especially concerning etiological issues and complications. Lifestyle and therapeutic recommendations are not well understood. Educational activities need to consider the knowledge issues and understanding by patients early in the course of chronic diseases like diabetes.

Agreement and discrepancy in the evaluation of normal and diabetic oral glucose tolerance test.

Systematic analysis with a five-hour OGTT of 340 subjects representative of people likely to be examined in a center specialized in diabetes detection was performed by multiple discriminant analysis, which provides indices of discrimination for different sets of blood glucose (BG) values. The relative sensitivity and the relative specificity of six different diagnostic methods: Fajans and Conn, Wikerson, WHO, British Diabetic Association, UGDP, and European Study Group of Diabetes Epidemiology were computed, giving a quantitative determination for the degree of discrepancy in the definition of diabetes: only 48 per cent of the subjects are classified in the same way by any of the diagnostic criteria. The time(s) of sampling and the index or indices of OGTT which are the most efficient in screening diabetes were estimated from homogeneous groups of subjects universally recognized as nondiabetic (URND) or as diabetic (URD) according to the different diagnostic methods. Better discriminating power (DP) between URD and URND compared with the maximum DP as measured by D2 of Mahalanobis from the seven BG values of the OGTT is given by the two-hour (70.2 per cent) than by the one-hour (49.5 per cent) BG value when a single value is used; the one-two-hour BG value is the best set of two times (80.7 per cent). The different indices now in use for the classification of the OGTT have been found less effective than the weighted sum of one-two-hour BG values. The difficulty in obtaining highly specific diagnostic tests is discussed in relation to the consequences on a partly automated screening in large populations.

Maternal effect and familial aggregation in NIDDM. The CODIAB Study. CODIAB-INSERM-ZENECA Study Group.

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is known to have a strong genetic basis, but the mode of inheritance is still unknown. Recent studies have suggested that maternal inheritance is important; this complicates the transmission pattern of NIDDM. In our study, the familial aggregation of diabetes and the maternal effect were investigated through three generations. The CODIAB Study recruited 536 NIDDM patients between 35 and 74 years of age from 10 diabetes centers in France. Familial aggregation was confirmed: among 218 NIDDM patients, 66% had at least one diabetic relative. Mothers were implicated 2 times more frequently than fathers (P < 0.001). This maternal effect was confirmed because more diabetic cases were noted among maternal than paternal aunts and uncles (P < 0.02). When we considered the next generation, women had more diabetic offspring than men (P < 0.01). Other factors susceptible to modify the familial aggregation were considered. The maternal effect was not significantly related to the patients' ages (P > 0.2). The genetic component was more important when the diagnosis was made earlier, but the maternal effect was homogeneous (P > 0.3). In conclusion, we found a familial aggregation of diabetes that suggests a strong genetic component with a mode of inheritance that may be influenced by a maternal environment.

Features of insulin-resistance syndrome in men from French Caribbean Islands. The Telecom Study.

The prevalence of diabetes is known to be high in the West Indies, whereas CVD seems relatively rare. This apparently contradicts the existence of the insulin-resistance syndrome, a cluster of metabolic abnormalities supposedly favoring both diabetes and cardiovascular complications. To address the question of whether this contradiction could be accounted for by specific features of this syndrome, we compared 1505 Caucasian and 181 Afro-Caribbean men, all participants in the French Telecom Study. The Afro-Caribbeans were of the same age and had the same BMI as the Caucasians; they also had significantly higher subscapular skin-fold thickness and fasting insulin level, but similar BP and blood glucose level, and significantly lower plasma triglyceride level. Thus, although some features of the insulin-resistance syndrome were present (central adiposity and high insulin levels), none of the associated metabolic abnormalities were present. However, within the Afro-Caribbean group, subjects with plasma insulin concentrations above the median (> 52 pM) had higher mean BP and glucose and triglyceride levels compared with subjects with insulin concentrations < or = 52 pM (P < 0.001). After adjustment for age and BMI, these differences, though smaller, still were statistically significant. These findings confirm that higher insulin concentrations are associated with higher levels of potentially atherogenic and diabetogenic metabolic parameters. However, depending on ethnic origin, the mean levels of these parameters seem to be different, with the consequence that, even if they are elevated with increasing insulin levels, they may not reach values high enough to determine a substantial risk of disease.

Correlation between the nature and amount of carbohydrate in meal intake and insulin delivery by the artificial pancreas in 24 insulin-dependent diabetics.

We have studied the effects of mixed meals and dextrose intake on blood glucose and insulin delivery by the artificial pancreas in 24 insulin-dependent diabetics. A group of 12 patients had 3 mixed meals containing at random 20, 40, and 60 g of complex carbohydrate along with protein and fat; another group of 12 diabetics, comparable in weight, age, and duration of diabetes, received at random 20, 40, and 60 g of dextrose. Dextrose ingestion led to a higher initial blood glucose increase than did the mixed meal, but the duration of blood glucose increase lasted significantly longer after the mixed meal than after the dextrose load. The areas under the curves of hyperglycemia were not significantly different. There was a high (but not linear) correlation between the total amount of insulin delivered in order to restore initial blood glucose values and the amount of CHO consumed. There was no correlation with age, body weight, duration of diabetes, nor with the nature and order of administration of the CHO load; 5.1 +/- 1.6 to 13.7 +/- 2.1 units of insulin were needed for a period of 94 +/- 11 to 132 +/- 11 min. It is suggested that some of the data obtained in this study might be useful in the programming of an open-loop insulin infusion system.

Long-term study of mortality and vascular complications in juvenile-onset (type I) diabetes.

A cohort of 372 insulin-dependent diabetic children, diagnosed between October 1949 and December 1960, were followed-up until December 1976 by the same team of physicians. At the time of diagnosis all patients were under 16 yr of age and were given standardized treatment which did not change from 1949 to 1976. The therapy consisted of daily insulin adjustment based on clinical assessment, the degree of physical activity, and the results of semi-quantitative urine tests for sugar and ketone bodies. These tests were systematically performed before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Diet was normal, unmeasured, rich in carbohydrates (approximately 60%), and quantitatively unrestricted unless the patient was overweight. Rates for mortality and for the principal complications among this cohort were computed by the actuarial method. During the 26 yr of study, 26 deaths occurred, 16 of which were directly connected with diabetes. After 16 yr of follow-up, rates of proteinuria and hypertension were 4% and 2.1% respectively. The incidence of retinopathy reached 27%, including 1.5% proliferative retinopathy. After 26 yr, the rates rose to 14% for proteinuria, 16% for hypertension, and 85% for retinopathy, including 18% in the proliferative phase.

Pattern of treatment among diabetic patients in France.

Both the treatment pattern and the degree of metabolic control were estimated from a sample of 1172 French diabetic patients. The subjects were recruited from 80 medical-analysis laboratories scattered throughout the country, where they came for biologic blood sample tests. Patients had to be diagnosed as having diabetes, give consent for additional blood sampling, and fill out a short self-questionnaire. Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was centrally determined by liquid chromatography (normal range 3.5-6.3%). We found 135 patients (11.5%) who were not drug treated or treated with diet alone, 862 (73.5%) treated with oral agents, and 175 (15.0%) treated with insulin. Among the latter, 79 (6.7%) were defined as true insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients. Among patients receiving no drug or a slight dosage or oral agents, 47% were found to be in the normal range of HbA1c. On the other hand, among the patients intensively treated with oral agents or secondarily with insulin, less than half were under fair control (HbA1c less than 7.5%). These results are in agreement with previous estimates of treatment distribution derived from national drug sales data. They provide evidence regarding the particular features of diabetes in France, i.e., low prevalence of IDDM, low consumption of insulin, high consumption of oral agents. The finding of a large proportion of normal HbA1c values in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients suggests a state of overdiagnosis linked to the use of nonspecific criteria of diagnosis in large-scale screening.

Interrelation between plasma sex hormone-binding globulin and plasma insulin in healthy adult women: the telecom study.

In order to study the relationship between plasma sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and insulin levels in healthy women, we investigated the association between plasma SHBG and insulin in an occupational sample of 786 nonhormone-using women. Levels of plasma SHBG showed a stepwise decrease with increasing fasting plasma insulin in premenopausal as well as in postmenopausal women. In these cross-sectional data, this significant negative relationship between SHBG and insulin was shown to be independent of age, body mass index, subscapular skinfold, fasting and 2-h plasma glucose in both groups. The etiology and the consequences of this inverse association between SHBG and insulin are unclear. Prospective and clinical studies in women will be necessary to determine the direction and causal nature of the association between SHBG and insulin, as well as its mechanism and its physiological and/or pathophysiological consequences.

Association between plasma total testosterone and cardiovascular risk factors in healthy adult men: The Telecom Study.

The associations between androgens and cardiovascular risk factors in men are controversial. A nested case-control study was used to compare the levels of cardiovascular risk factors in two groups (n = 25 each) of healthy men contrasted by their plasma total testosterone (PTT) concentration, matched by age and ethnic origin. Compared to the men with normal PTT (mean +/- SEM, 19.8 +/- 0.7 nmol/L), the men with low PTT (10.1 +/- 0.3 nmol/L) had a significantly higher body mass index (P < 0.01), waist/hip ratio (P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05), fasting and 2-h plasma glucose (P < 0.04 and P < 0.02 respectively), serum triglycerides (P < 0.001), total cholesterol (P < 0.04), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01), apolipoprotein B (P < 0.01), fasting and 2-h plasma insulin (both P < 0.0001), and lower values of serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01) and apolipoprotein AI (P < 0.05). After adjustment for both body mass index and waist/hip ratio, fasting and 2-h plasma insulin and triglyceride levels remained significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.04, P < 0.001, and P < 0.03 respectively). Plasma sex hormone-binding globulin was markedly decreased in the low PTT group (P < 0.0001), whereas bioavailable testosterone was not significantly different. This case-control study provides further and stronger evidence of a negative association between PTT and plasma insulin in men, as suggested by cross-sectional studies. Because these are observational data, neither causality nor the direction of the associations among PTT, sex hormone-binding globulin, and insulin sensitivity can be determined. Intervention studies are needed to better assess the metabolic and cardiovascular benefits of androgen treatment that have been suggested by preliminary clinical trials.

Clinical correlates of advanced retinopathy in type II diabetic patients: implications for screening. The CODIAB-INSERM-Zeneca Pharma Study Group.

The clinical correlates of advanced retinopathy were determined in a sample of 427 type II diabetic outpatients, aged 35 to 74 years, recruited in eight centers from all parts of France. The presence of retinopathy was assessed by fluorescein angiography with centralized interpretation. Advanced retinopathy (proliferative and/or macular edema) was independently linked with nephropathy, peripheral neuropathy, and insulin therapy. Prevalence of advanced retinopathy was 1.6% in the absence of signs of nephropathy and/or peripheral neuropathy, 10.4% in patients with mild signs, and 17.5% in patients with moderate to severe signs. Overall, 87% of the patients with advanced retinopathy had signs of nephropathy and/or peripheral neuropathy. In conclusion, patients showing signs of nephropathy and/or peripheral neuropathy should be sent in priority to an ophthalmologist. Prospective data are necessary to determine if screening is necessary in patients with no signs of nephropathy or peripheral neuropathy.

European study of the certification and coding of causes of death of six clinical case histories of diabetic patients. EURODIAB Subarea C Study Group.

This study was designed to investigate the large differences in diabetes mortality rates in Europe. In each of the participating countries (France, Germany, The Netherlands, Northern Ireland-UK, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Scotland-UK, Switzerland) a random sample of certifying physicians was asked to certify the causes of death of six case histories which described the deaths of diabetic patients; the responses from an average of 220 physicians per country were analysed. These registered causes were then coded nationally and the underlying cause was compared with that following a central recoding. Overall 28% of the physicians surveyed recorded diabetes on the death certificate as the underlying cause of death--France was 25% below this overall average and Germany 21% above. The national coding of diabetes as the underlying cause of death differed from the central recoding with a comparative undercoding of almost 40% in Romania, 30% in Northern Ireland and 25% in Switzerland; in contrast, there was an overcoding of diabetes by 80% in The Netherlands and 60% in the Republic of Ireland. After adjusting for central recoding, in part an adjustment for certification habits, the national coding from this simulation study was able to explain 35% of the variation in the diabetes mortality rates. With such differences in the coding of diabetes, the currently published mortality rates for diabetes are not directly comparable between European countries; some suggestions are made for the reduction of the intercountry differences in the collection and analysis of mortality data for diabetes.

Case counting in epidemiology: limitations of methods based on multiple data sources.

BACKGROUND: The application of capture-recapture methods in epidemiology has been proposed as an alternative to field surveys. This methodology is important for the future of epidemiology and deserves a critical analysis. METHODS: This paper reviews conditions for applying the capture-recapture models to epidemiological data, taking into account practical considerations, in particular the problem of case definition. RESULTS: The underlying assumptions are particularly restrictive resulting in a theoretical limitation of their applicability. In spite of the statistical developments designed to overcome these difficulties, the practical conditions for using the existing lists are often not fulfilled (availability, confidentiality). The major restriction is on the quality of the data which are often far below the standards required in specific prevalence surveys and which may differ between lists. This may result in a dramatic lack of specificity. The definition of the virtual subgroup of patients missing in all lists as generated by the statistical procedure, is questionable particularly when counting living patients. Field studies would be necessary for validation. CONCLUSIONS: In some particular situations (e.g. deceased patients, rare diseases), this methodology may provide a useful approximation to the number of ill subjects events, but users should be aware of their poor specificity. It can also be useful to complement data from surveillance systems by careful cross-checking with independent sources of information. Currently, this method cannot, in any way, replace direct population prevalence or incidence surveys.

Diabetes mellitus in Tunisia: description in urban and rural populations.

A prevalence survey of diabetes mellitus was carried out in Tunisia on two random samples of households. The first sample (3826 adult subjects) was drawn from the Gouvernorat of Tunis, the second one (1787 adult subjects), was drawn from a rural area, the Gouvernorat of Siliana. The families were investigated at home and diabetes assessed on the basis of an interview (to determine known cases) and of fasting blood glucose level in subjects having no personal history of diabetes (new cases). Prevalence rates were estimated considering known cases and newly found ones together. Overall, the age-standardized prevalence rate was found to be much higher in the urban sample compared to the rural one, especially for women (4.6% versus 2.3% in men, 3.5% versus 0.6% in women). Diabetes was often associated with obesity, especially in men. Within the urban sample, the prevalence rate was similar in subjects born in Tunis and in those born in the rest of the country, thus mainly of rural extraction. In contrast, a family history of diabetes was more often reported in the former group. The results are consistent with other epidemiological findings, showing that a dramatic increase in diabetes morbidity parallels the rapid westernization of urban centres in developing countries.

Death certificate coding practices related to diabetes in European countries--the 'EURODIAB Subarea C' Study.

The objective of this study was to compare and analyse coding practices for diabetes mortality data in nine European countries (Belgium, Republic of Ireland, France, Germany, Malta, The Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Switzerland). In each country, a sample of 200 coded death certificates, which mentioned diabetes, was randomly sampled. All death certificates were recoded at the WHO Collaborating Centre for the Classification of Diseases in the French language. The results show wide differences between national coding and central coding. Discrepancies in the underlying cause of death existed at the 3-digit coding level for 26% of all death certificates and for 44% at the 4-digit level. Coding in Northern Ireland and Malta was characterized by a marked tendency to choose diabetes less frequently. In contrast, in The Netherlands and, to a lesser extent, in the Republic of Ireland and France, diabetes was more frequently selected as the underlying cause of death. Most of the differences concerned the coding of an association involving diabetes and circulatory system diseases. In some countries, these coding differences influence the reported level of diabetes mortality. For Northern Ireland and Malta, the number of certificates with diabetes as the underlying cause of death was more than doubled after central recoding and for The Netherlands, in contrast, it was almost halved. To explain the differences a number of factors are considered: a lack of information from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), on the application of the coding rules, between-country differences in cause of death certification practices, a divergence of opinion about the causal role of diabetes when it is associated with other conditions, a lack of homogeneity between countries in data collection procedures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Smoking and age-related macular degeneration. The POLA Study. Pathologies Oculaires Liées à l'Age.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the associations between age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and smoking. METHODS: The POLA study is a population-based study taking place in the town of Sète, located on the French Mediterranean Sea border. The presence of early and late ARMD was assessed in 2196 participants on the basis of 50 degrees color fundus photographs using an international classification system. RESULTS: After adjustment for age and sex, current and former smokers showed an increased prevalence of late ARMD (odds ratio [OR] = 3.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-12.4; OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.3-7.7, respectively). An increased risk was present in participants who smoked more than 20 pack-years (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 0.9-9.5 for 20-39 pack-years; OR = 5.2, 95% CI = 2.0-13.6 for 40 pack-years and more). In addition, the risk of late ARMD remained increased until 20 years after cessation of smoking (OR = 9.0, 95% CI = 3.0-27.0 for 1-9 years; OR = 4.0, 95% CI = 1.3-12.0 for 10-19 years; OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.4-4.3 for 20 years and more). Smoking was not significantly associated with early signs of ARMD. CONCLUSIONS: This study further confirms the adverse effect of tobacco on late ARMD. Former smokers seem to remain at high risk for ARMD.

Light exposure and the risk of cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular cataracts: the Pathologies Oculaires Liées à l'Age (POLA) study.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to light may be an important risk factor for the development of cataracts. OBJECTIVE: To present the relation of ambient solar radiation and professional and leisure exposures to light with the different types of cataracts. METHODS: Pathologies Oculaires Liées a l'Age (POLA) is a population-based study on cataract and age-related macular degeneration and their risk factors in 2584 residents of Sète (southern France). Cataract classification was based on lens examination at slitlamp according to Lens Opacities Classification System III. A questionnaire about light exposure was administered. RESULTS: After multivariate adjustment, participants who had higher ambient solar radiation had a 2.5-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-5.0), 4.0-fold (95% CI, 2.0-8.0), and 2.9-fold (95% CI, 1.5-5.3) increased risk of cortical and mixed cataract and cataract surgery, respectively. Solar ambient radiation was not significantly associated with posterior subcapsular and nuclear cataracts. By contrast, posterior subcapsular cataracts were significantly associated with professional exposure to sunlight (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% CI, 1.01-2.63) and frequent use of sunglasses (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.43-0.90). Mixed cataract was also associated with professional exposure to artificial light (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.03-8.82). CONCLUSION: Our study further confirms the role of sunlight exposure in the pathogenesis of cataract, in particular in its cortical localization.

Age-related macular degeneration and antioxidant status in the POLA study. POLA Study Group. Pathologies Oculaires Liées à l'Age.

OBJECTIVE: To give the levels of antioxidant nutrients in relation to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Pathologies Oculaires Liees a l'Age is a population-based study on cataract and AMD and their risk factors, carried out on 2584 inhabitants of Sete, France. Age-related macular degeneration was defined by findings from fundus photographs according to an international classification. Biological measurements were taken from fasting blood samples. RESULTS: After multivariate adjustment, plasma alpha-to-copherol levels showed a weak negative association with late AMD (P = .07). Lipid-standardized plasma alpha-tocopherol levels showed a significant negative association with late AMD (P= .003): the risk of late AMD was reduced by 82% in the highest quintile compared with the lowest. Similarly, lipid-standardized plasma alpha-tocopherol levels were inversely associated with early signs of AMD (odds ratio, 0.72 [95% confidence interval, 0.53-0.98]; P=.04). No associations were found with plasma retinol and ascorbic acid levels or with red blood cell glutathione values. COMMENT: These results suggest that vitamin E may provide protection against AMD. Only randomized interventional studies could prove the protective effect of vitamin E on AMD.

Light exposure and the risk of age-related macular degeneration: the Pathologies Oculaires Liées à l'Age (POLA) study.

BACKGROUND: The role of light exposure in the development of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) has been questioned. We present the relationship between lifetime light exposure and ARMD as examined in the Pathologies Oculaires Liées à l'Age (POLA) study. METHODS: The POLA study is a population-based study on cataract and ARMD and their risk factors. It included 2584 residents of the town of Sète, located in the South of France. The presence of early and late ARMD was assessed on the basis of 50 degrees color fundus photographs using an international classification system. A questionnaire about light exposure was administered. RESULTS: Late ARMD (n = 38) was not significantly associated with any light exposure variable. Subjects exposed to high ambient solar radiation and those with frequent leisure exposure to sunlight had a decreased risk of pigmentary abnormalities (odds ratio [OR] = 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-0.93, and OR = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.52-0.95, respectively) and of early signs of ARMD (OR = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.54-0.98, and OR = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.64-1.00, respectively). Subjects who had used sunglasses regularly had a decreased risk of soft drusen (OR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.66-1.00). These relationships were not modified by further adjustments for potential confounders. CONCLUSION: Our study does not support a deleterious effect of sunlight exposure in ARMD.