According to a new study, which was cross-sectional a possible tie between routine use of aspirin and neovascular macular degeneration was found, but previous studies yielded findings that were conflicting with this one.
Researchers, including Jie Jun Wang a PhD from the University of Sydney analyzed the data from a study of over 2,380 Australians who were 49 years of age and older. The study was called the Blue Mountain Eyes.
In the study, retinal examinations took place every 5 years with a list of lesions classified as neovascular (wet) macular degeneration or dry macular degeneration also known as geographic atrophy.
The use of aspirin was listed on a questionnaire and other information about risk factors that were relevant were also obtained through physical examination and past history reports.
In all, 257 of the participants used aspirin regularly. Compared to those who did not use aspirin, they were older and had more conditions like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.
During a follow up of 15 years, a cumulative incidence rate of 1.9% at five years, 7% at 10 years and 9.3% at 15 years was observed for aspirin users. Incidence rates for non-users were 0.8%, 1.6% and 3.7%.
The neovascular macular degeneration incidence rose more frequently with aspirin use from 2.2% in people who had never used it, to 2.9% in those who used it occasionally and 5.8% in those who reported taking it routinely.
There was not association made with the use of aspirin and geographic atrophy.
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