Cross-sectional study links accelerated PhenoAge to larger drusen burden in age-related macular degeneration
In a cross-sectional survey cohort, people whose PhenoAge was more than 3 years above their chronological age had higher odds of drusen ≥500 μm and ≥125 μm, but not of pigmentary abnormalities. This is an association, not proof of cause. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
This cross-sectional study used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 5322 participants with a mean age of 59.4 years. [1]
PhenoAge Acceleration above +3 years was associated with higher odds of drusen ≥500 μm (odds ratio 1.56). [1]
The association appeared for drusen ≥125 μm but not for pigmentary abnormalities. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Cross-sectional study (abstract)
- Population / context
- 5322 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, mean age 59.4 ± 12.4 years, 50.4% female.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 14, 2026
PhenoAge and retinal features in a US survey cohort
The study asked whether accelerated biological ageing, estimated with the PhenoAge algorithm from routine blood biomarkers plus chronological age, is associated with features of early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration. It used cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and included 5322 participants (mean age 59.4 ± 12.4 years; 50.4% female). PhenoAge Acceleration was defined as the residual from regressing PhenoAge on chronological age.
Supporting source [1]
Higher odds for large drusen, not pigmentary abnormalities
Drusen ≥500 μm, the primary outcome, were present in 4.1%; drusen ≥125 μm in 10.2%; pigmentary abnormalities in 5.6%. PhenoAge Acceleration above +3 years was associated with higher odds of drusen ≥500 μm (odds ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 1.07–2.27, p = 0.022). It was also associated with drusen ≥125 μm (odds ratio 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.00–1.65, p = 0.049), but not with pigmentary abnormalities. Models were adjusted for biological sex, race/ethnicity, smoking, body mass index and diabetes.
Supporting source [1]
Cross-sectional design limits causal reading of the association
The authors conclude that accelerated biological ageing was associated with increased drusen burden but not pigmentary abnormalities, suggesting early structural features of age-related macular degeneration may reflect broader systemic ageing processes. Because the design is cross-sectional, timing and direction cannot be established from these data. The abstract reports no follow-up period. The findings describe associations only and do not show that accelerated ageing causes drusen.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The design is cross-sectional, so temporal order and causality cannot be assessed, and no follow-up period is reported. Findings are associations in this survey cohort and do not establish that accelerated biological ageing causes drusen.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Ørskov M, Cehofski LJ, Faber C, Forte P, Hansen MS, Muttuvelu DV, Niazi S, Schou MG, Shekho N, Reiter GS, Utheim TP, Vergmann AS, Subhi Y. · europepmc.org · September 14, 2026