Systemic risk factors associated with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To compare the association of systemic risk factors between neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Methods: Seven hundred and three patients (235 with nAMD and 468 with PCV) were included. Associated systemic conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and end-stage renal disease, were investigated through an interview and questionnaire.

Results: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease in nAMD was significantly higher than that in PCV (P < 0.001 and P = 0.021, respectively, multivariate logistic regression analysis). Moreover, in diabetic patients with nAMD or PCV, the more severe form of diabetic retinopathy was more prevalent in nAMD cases than in PCV cases (P = 0.006, multivariate logistic regression analysis).

Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease are more prevalent in patients with nAMD than in those with PCV. Specific systemic conditions might be associated with the development of nAMD.