Risk of Ischemic Kidney Injury in Patients With Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: A Nationwide Population-based Study

Risk Factors for Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: A Large Scale Meta-Analysis

Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis to explore all the potential risk factors for non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) based on the published literature. Methods: A comprehensive literature search through the online databases was performed to obtain studies concerning the risk factors of NAION up to June 2020. Pooled unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) or rate ratios (RRs) were calculated to evaluate the weight of risk factors. This study was registered in PROSPERO under the number CRD42018084960. Results: Our meta-analysis included 49 original studies comprising of more than 10 million patients. The following risk factors were proved to be significantly associated with NAION: male gender (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.50-1.85, P < 0.00001), hypertension (RR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.20-1.37, P < 0.00001), hyperlipidemia (RR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.26-1.62, P < 0.00001), diabetes mellitus (DM) (RR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.36-1.73, P < 0.00001), coronary heart disease (CHD) (RR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.24-2.27, P = 0.0008), sleep apnea (RR = 3.28, 95% CI: 2.08-5.17, P < 0.00001), factor V Leiden heterozygous (RR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.19-4.09, P = 0.01), and medication history of cardiovascular drugs. Conclusion: We concluded that the above risk factors were significantly related to NAION. Better understanding of these risk factors in NAION can help the direct therapeutic approaches.

Nationwide population-based incidence and etiologies of pediatric and adult Horner syndrome

PURPOSE

To determine age- and sex-specific incidence and possible etiologies of pediatric and adult Horner syndrome in South Korea.

METHODS

A nationwide, population-based, cohort study using data from the Korean National Health Claims database from 2007 to 2018. All patients with Horner syndrome from the entire Korean population (n = 51,629,512) were included. To find possible causes of Horner syndrome, we searched concurrent codes for systemic diseases, trauma, or surgical procedures.

RESULTS

A total of 139 pediatric patients (59.7% male) and 1331 adults (51.0% male) were newly diagnosed as having Horner syndrome. The cumulative incidence was 2.12 (95% CI 2.08-2.17) per 100,000 pediatric population and 2.95 (2.94-2.96) per 100,000 adults. The peak incidence occurred at 0-4 years of age in the pediatric population, and at 50-54 years in the adult population. A total of 835 (56.8%) patients had underlying conditions or related surgical procedures associated with Horner syndrome. The underlying causes were recognized in 695 (83.2%) patients before the diagnosis of Horner syndrome, in 75 (9.0%) patients at the same time as the Horner syndrome diagnosis, and in 65 (7.8%) patients after the diagnosis of Horner syndrome. There were four cases of Horner syndrome that preceded neuroblastoma diagnosis. The most common tumor related with Horner syndrome was that of the thyroid in the adult population.

CONCLUSIONS

This study determined the estimated incidence and possible causes of pediatric and adult Horner syndrome. As Horner syndrome with unknown etiologies may harbor serious malignancy, extensive evaluations are required, especially in children.

Population-based Incidence of Pediatric and Adult Optic Neuritis and the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis

PURPOSE

To determine the age- and sex-specific prevalence and incidence of demyelinating optic neuritis and the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) in pediatric and adult populations in South Korea.

DESIGN

A nationwide, population-based, retrospective study using data from the Korean National Health Claims database from 2010 to 2016.

PARTICIPANTS

The entire South Korean population aged 65 years of age or younger (n = 44 700 564). All patients with optic neuritis from the entire Korean population were included.

METHODS

Patients aged 14 years of age or younger were classified as pediatric patients, and those aged 15 to 65 years were classified as adults. Each group was analyzed separately. Patients with optic neuritis had a subsequent diagnosis, including idiopathic, MS, neuromyelitis optica (NMO), and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Prevalence and incidence, conversion rate to MS, and treatment modalities (steroids, plasmapheresis, interferon-β, and immunosuppressants) were estimated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence and incidence of optic neuritis, and conversion rate to MS.

RESULTS

Among 44 700 564 individuals, 531 pediatric patients (50.7% female) and 7183 adults (53.3% female) were identified as having optic neuritis. Annual incidence was 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.07) per 100 000 pediatric individuals and 3.29 (95% CI, 3.28-3.30) per 100 000 adults. Peak incidence was observed at 10 to 14 years in the pediatric population and at 30 to 34 years and 50 to 54 years in the adult population. Conversion rate to MS was 13.8% in the pediatric population and 11.4% in the adult population. Fourteen percent of all patients were treated with chronic immunosuppressants, 38% of patients with NMO underwent plasmapheresis, and 50% of patients with MS were treated with interferon-β.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a nationwide epidemiologic study of optic neuritis in individuals of all ages in South Korea. The incidence of optic neuritis and subsequent risk of MS in the pediatric population are comparable to those reported in western countries but are lower in the adult population than in western countries. The incidence rate in adults was 3.2-fold higher than in the pediatric population, and the overall MS conversion rate in the entire Korean population was estimated to be 10.6%.