A new study published in Scientific Reports on September 9 has found that individuals with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are at a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The research, conducted by Je Moon Yoon and colleagues from Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, South Korea, adds to the growing evidence of a link between vision disorders and systemic autoimmune conditions.

The study analyzed health data from a massive cohort of 3.5 million individuals who underwent health checkups in 2009, with a follow-up period extending until 2019. Researchers focused on evaluating the association between AMD—both with and without visual disability (VD)—and the subsequent risk of RA. Their findings revealed that 1.24 percent of the entire cohort were diagnosed with RA during the study period.

Even after adjusting for potential confounding factors such as lifestyle and existing comorbidities, the researchers discovered that individuals with AMD had a significantly higher risk of developing RA compared to those without the eye condition. This heightened risk was evident irrespective of the presence of visual disability. Specifically, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for RA among those with AMD was 1.11, with a 95 percent confidence interval (CI) of 1.02 to 1.21, indicating a modest but notable increase in risk.

Further analysis revealed variations in RA risk based on the severity of AMD. Individuals with AMD but without visual disability exhibited a slightly higher risk (aHR, 1.13; 95 percent CI, 1.03 to 1.21) compared to those with visual disability (aHR, 0.90; 95 percent CI, 0.64 to 1.27).

To interpret these findings, the researchers suggested that the risk of RA might be underreported or underdiagnosed among patients with AMD and visual disability. "It is necessary to consider the possibility that RA may be underdiagnosed in this population," the authors noted. This suggests that visual impairments may complicate the detection and diagnosis of RA symptoms, potentially masking the true prevalence of the condition among those with advanced AMD.

The study’s findings highlight the need for healthcare providers to be vigilant when monitoring patients with AMD for potential signs of RA, particularly in those without visual disability. It also underscores the importance of comprehensive healthcare that bridges ophthalmological and rheumatological care, ensuring that patients with AMD receive timely evaluations for autoimmune conditions.

With these insights, further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms linking AMD to RA and to develop strategies for improving early detection and management of RA in this vulnerable population.