Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and age-related macular degeneration in a Sardinian male population, Italy

Purpose: The reported prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Sardina, Italy, ranges from 8% to 15%. Hemizygous males have totally deficient erythrocytes. Evidence indicates that patients with G6PD deficiency are protected against ischemic heart and cerebrovascular disease, retinal vein occlusion, and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Sardinian men with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and ascertain whether G6PD deficiency may have a protective effect against AMD. Methods: G6PD blood levels were measured in 81 men with AMD. 119 men without AMD undergoing cataract surgery served as controls. The Z test was used to assess differences in G6PD deficiency prevalence rates between groups. The odds ratio (OR) was used to evaluate the association between G6PD deficiency and AMD. Results: G6PD deficiency was found in 7 (8.6%) out of 81 patients with AMD and in 10 (8.3%) out of 121 controls. Differences between AMD patients and controls were not statistically significant (Z = 0.095, P = 0.9). G6PD deficiency showed no association with AMD (OR: 1.05; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.38-2.88). Conclusions: Results suggest that G6PD deficiency has no protective effect against AMD and is not a risk factor for this degenerative macular condition.