Von Willebrand factor in plasma of patients with age related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the plasma level of von Willebrand factor (vWf: Ag) in patients with age related macular degeneration and to establish the relation between this factor and the stage and progression of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The group studied comprised 34 patients with age related macular degeneration. Excluded were patients with diseases and with other factors which could have changed evaluated parameters. Patients studied were categorized into 7 groups according to the stage of disease. The progression of the disease was evaluated on the base of examination performed after 6 months' interval. Mean age of the patients in analysed group was 73.3 (SD = 19.5) years. The control group consisted of 32 healthy persons of similar age. Statistical analysis were performed with U Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation test. In both groups blood was sampled from cubital vein. In blood of patients, von Willebrand levels were measured by means of ELISA using commercial antibodies (DAKO, Denmark). RESULTS: Von Willebrand concentration was significantly higher in patients with age related macular degeneration as compared with control group (p < 0.001). Concentration of vWf: Ag correlated positively with the grade of macular changes and the progression of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained show that age related macular degeneration is associated with elevated plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (a marker of endothelial injury) and that there is a positive correlation of it's concentration with both stage and progression of the disease.