Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Men Receiving 5α-Reductase Inhibitors: A Population-Based Cohort Study

July 2024 in “ Age and Ageing ”

Yu‐Chen Su, Chin‐Yao Shen, Shih‐Chieh Shao, Chi‐Chun Lai, Sheng-Min Hsu, Chaw‐Ning Lee, Chan-Jung Liu, Jia‐Horung Hung, Edward Chia‐Cheng Lai

5α-reductase inhibitors 5ARIs tamsulosin dutasteride finasteride androgen inhibition Propecia Avodart

TLDR Men taking dutasteride may have a higher risk of age-related macular degeneration.

This study investigated the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in men with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) using 5α-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) or tamsulosin. Data from 13,586 5ARIs users and 54,344 tamsulosin users were analyzed over an average follow-up of 3.7 years. The results showed no significant difference in AMD risk between 5ARIs and tamsulosin users overall. However, subgroup analysis revealed an increased risk of AMD in patients taking dutasteride (HR: 1.13) but not in those taking finasteride (HR: 0.99). This suggests that the potency of androgen inhibition may influence AMD incidence.

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