Impact of Socioeconomic Status on the Diagnosis of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Taiwan

Association Between Sociodemographic Factors and Self-reported Glaucoma in the National Health Interview Survey: A Population-Based Analysis

PURPOSE

To investigate the association between social determinants of health (SDH) in the domains of social and community context, education access, environmental context, economic stability, and healthcare access, with glaucoma prevalence.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

The study population consisted of adult participants who answered glaucoma-related questions on the 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the most recent iteration that includes glaucoma-related questions. The main outcome measures included the relationships between SDH-related factors and self-reported glaucoma diagnosis as well as self-reported glaucomatous vision loss were examined using univariable and multivariable regression models.

RESULTS

In total, 26,696 of 26,742 (99.83%) NHIS respondents were included, of whom 880 (3.30%) reported a glaucoma diagnosis and 275 (1.03%) reported glaucomatous vision loss. Participants were predominantly middle-aged (50.95 ± 18.60 years), female (54.75%), and non-Hispanic White (70.49%). In age-adjusted multivariable regression (n = 25,456), non-Hispanic Black race (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87, 99% CI = [1.37, 2.55], P < .001, compared to non-Hispanic White race) and poor health status (OR = 1.54, 99% CI = [1.00, 2.37], P = .01, compared to good health status) were significant predictors of glaucoma diagnosis. For glaucomatous vision loss, having an income below the poverty threshold (OR = 2.41, 99% CI = [1.12, 5.20], P = .003, compared to income ≥5 times the poverty threshold) was the only significant predictor in univariable analyses. No SDH-related factors were significantly associated with glaucomatous vision loss in multivariable analysis (n = 848). Multicollinearity was minimal (variation inflation factor<1.6 for all independent variables).

CONCLUSIONS

Non-Hispanic Black race and poor health status were associated with self-reported glaucoma diagnosis. Physicians and policymakers may consider SDH when assessing clinical risk and designing public health interventions.

Novel Methods of Identifying Individual and Neighborhood Risk Factors for Loss to Follow-Up After Ophthalmic Screening

PRCIS

Residence in a middle-class neighborhood correlated with lower follow-up compared with residence in more affluent neighborhoods. The most common explanations for not following up were the process of making an appointment and lack of symptoms.

PURPOSE

To explore which individual-level and neighborhood-level factors influence follow-up as recommended after positive ophthalmic and primary care screening in a vulnerable population using novel methodologies.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

From 2017 to 2018, 957 participants were screened for ophthalmic disease and cardiovascular risk factors as part of the Real-Time Mobile Teleophthalmology study. Individuals who screened positive for either ophthalmic or cardiovascular risk factors were contacted to determine whether or not they followed up with a health care provider. Data from the Social Vulnerability Index, a novel virtual auditing system, and personal demographics were collected for each participant. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine which factors significantly differed between participants who followed up and those who did not.

RESULTS

As a whole, the study population was more socioeconomically vulnerable than the national average (mean summary Social Vulnerability Index score=0.81). Participants whose neighborhoods fell in the middle of the national per capita income distribution had a lower likelihood of follow-up compared with those who resided in the most affluent neighborhoods (relative risk ratio=0.21, P -value<0.01). Participants cited the complicated process of making an eye care appointment and lack of symptoms as the most common reasons for not following up as instructed within 4 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Residence in a middle-class neighborhood, difficulty accessing eye care appointments, and low health literacy may influence follow-up among vulnerable populations.

Social determinants of health and health disparities in glaucoma: A review

Social determinants of health and barriers to care can significantly impact patients' access to glaucoma care and treatment, resulting in disparities within disease presentation, progression, management, and treatment outcomes. The widespread adoption of electronic health record systems has allowed researchers and clinicians to further explore these relationships, identifying factors such as race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status to be risk factors for more severe disease and lower treatment adherence. These disparities highlight potential targets for interventions to combat these disparities and improve overall patient outcomes. This article provides a summary of the available data on health disparities within glaucoma disease presentation, progression, management, treatment, and outcomes and discusses interventions to improve care delivery and outcomes among patients with glaucoma.

Pharmaceutical In Situ Gel for Glaucoma: Recent Trends and Development with an Update on Research and Patents

Glaucoma is a progressive visual polyneuropathy characterized by retinal ganglion cell atrophy and optic nerve head changes. It's generally triggered due to increased intraocular pressure compared with the healthy eye. Glaucoma is treated with various medications in traditional eye drops, such as prostaglandins, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, beta-blockers, and others. Such treatments are difficult to use and produce lachrymal leakage and inadequate corneal permeability, resulting in lower availability. Ophthalmic in situ gels, introduced in past decades with tremendous effort, are among the finest various choices to solve the drawbacks of eye drops. Employing different polymers with pH-triggered, temperature-triggered, and ion-activated processes have been used to generate ophthalmic in situ gelling treatments. Once those preparations are delivered into the eye, they change phase from sol to gel, allowing the medicine to stay in the eye for longer. These formulations are known as smart gels as they turn into gelling fluids when administered into the eyes. The different mechanisms of in situ gel formulations are used for the management of glaucoma and are discussed in this review article.

Access to Eye Care Providers and Glaucoma Severity in the National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program

PRCIS

In the "All of Us (AoU) Research Program," individuals with access to vision care were more likely to have mild, moderate, or severe glaucoma and undergo incisional surgery compared with those without vision care access.

PURPOSE

To examine the associations between access to eye care, glaucoma severity, and incisional glaucoma surgery using data from the National Institute of Health AoU Research Program.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Individuals with International Classification of Diseases Ninth or 10th Revision codes and who answered the survey question about eye care access in AoU were included in the study. The exposure variable was access to eye care services, with outcome variables (1) glaucoma severitys and (2) likelihood of incisional surgery. Unadjusted multinomial logistic regression compared access to eye care services and glaucoma severity. In addition, unadjusted logistic regression models compared access to eye care and the likelihood of incisional surgery. These were repeated using adjusted analyses, controlling for sex assigned at birth, race and ethnicity, and age.

RESULTS

Compared with individuals without access to eye care services, those with access were more likely to have all levels of glaucoma severity [mild adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 5.81, 95% CI: 3.15-10.73, moderate aOR: 4.44, 95% CI: 2.45-8.02, severe aOR: 6.95, 95% CI: 2.69-17.93, and unspecified aOR: 3.06, 95% CI: 2.72, 3.45]. Access to eye care was associated with increased odds of any incisional glaucoma surgery (aOR: 3.00, 95% CI: 1.24-9.90) and of trabeculectomy (aOR: 3.30, 95% CI: 1.02-20.28) but not of tube shunt procedures (aOR: 2.65, 95% CI: 0.80-16.38).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that access to eye care services was associated with a higher prevalence of all levels of glaucoma severity; those with access to eye care services were more likely to undergo incisional surgery than those without access. Future research should focus on methods to best encourage eye care to limit glaucoma progression.

Glaucoma in rural China (the Rural Epidemiology for Glaucoma in China (REG-China)): a national cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of glaucoma with associated factors in the rural populations of 10 provinces in China.

DESIGN

A population-based cross-sectional study.

METHODS

All participants aged 6 years or older from 10 provinces completed visual acuity testing, slit-lamp examination, ophthalmoscopy and non-contact tonometry. Glaucoma suspects underwent fundus photography, Goldmann applanation tonometry, visual field testing and gonioscopy. Glaucoma was determined according to the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology classification scheme. Associations of demographics and medical factors with glaucoma were assessed using multiple logistic regression models.

RESULTS

From June 2017 to October 2018, 48 398 of 52 041 participants were included in the final analyses. The age-standardised prevalence of glaucoma was 1.7% (95% CI 1.55% to 1.78%) among the participants older than 6 years, which was 2.1% (95% CI 1.93% to 2.23%) in participants aged over 40 years. The constituent ratios of glaucoma were: 44.4% primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG), 34.7% primary open-angle glaucoma, 2.6% congenital glaucoma and 18.3% other types of glaucoma. Increasing age, smoking, cerebral stroke, type 2 diabetes, higher education (college or more) and higher personal income were significant risk factors for PACG. The unilateral and bilateral blindness rates in the entire study population were 4.692% and 1.068%, respectively. A family history of glaucoma was a significant risk factor for the prevalence of glaucoma and blindness in at least one eye.

CONCLUSIONS

Rural populations have a high prevalence of glaucoma, which should be included in chronic disease management programmes in China for long-term care.

Environmental influences on ophthalmic conditions: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Environmental factors have been implicated in various eye pathologies. The purpose of this review is to synthesise the published research on environmental effects on eye disease.

METHODS

Four databases were searched for terms relating to environmental exposures and ophthalmic disease. Titles and abstracts were screened followed by full-text review. Data was extracted from 118 included studies. Quality assessment was conducted for each study.

RESULTS

Air pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide, nitrites, sulphur dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone and hydrocarbons are associated with ocular conditions ranging from corneal damage to various retinopathies, including central retinal artery occlusion. Certain chemicals and metals, such as cadmium, are associated with increased risk of age-related macular degeneration. Climate factors, such as sun exposure, have been associated with the development of cataracts. Living in rural areas was associated with various age-related eye diseases whereas people living in urban settings had higher risk for dry eye disease and uveitis.

CONCLUSION

Environmental exposures in every domain are associated with various ophthalmic conditions. These findings underscore the importance of continued research on the interplay between the environment and eye health.

Long-term effects of obstructive sleep apnea and its treatment on open-angle glaucoma: a big-data cohort study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The relationship between open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is unclear. The long-term risk for OAG after OSA diagnosis has not been investigated. Therefore, we assessed the risk for OAG among patients with OSA over a 12-year follow-up period using nationwide, population-based data.

METHODS

The OSA group was randomly selected from among 3.5 million individuals registered with the National Health Insurance Service. The non-OSA group was obtained through propensity score matching considering several variables. The primary endpoint was glaucoma diagnosis.

RESULTS

The OSA and non-OSA groups both included 6,369 individuals. The overall hazard ratio for OAG in the OSA group was 1.42 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-1.69). In subgroup analysis, the hazard ratio for OAG was 1.94 (95% CI: 1.57-2.41) for those aged > 60 years, 1.50 (95% CI: 1.20-1.89) for those with diabetes mellitus, 1.53 (95% CI: 1.26-1.86) for those with hypertension, and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.52-0.96) for those with a history of OSA surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the 12-year follow-up, the risk for OAG increased after OSA diagnosis. Further research will be necessary to determine if treating OSA can mitigate this association.

CITATION

Lee T-E, Kim JS, Yeom SW, Lee MG, Lee JH, Lee H-J. Long-term effects of obstructive sleep apnea and its treatment on open-angle glaucoma: a big-data cohort study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(2):339-346.

Barriers to Care in the Treatment of Glaucoma: Socioeconomic Elements That Impact the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes in Glaucoma Patients

Purpose of Review

This article reviews socioeconomic elements that impact the access to glaucoma care, early intervention in susceptible patients, and longevity of treatment and patient compliance in various demographic groups.

Recent Findings

Socioeconomic factors such as insurance eligibility, education, income, marital status, and access to technology can deeply impact the diagnosis and long-term treatment of glaucoma patients. Depending on the severity, and/or urgency of care, many individuals who face these barriers forgo annual eye exams, leading to a higher incidence of untreated glaucoma.

Summary

Early intervention and regular follow-up are essential for patient compliance in the management of glaucoma. Routine eye care leads to earlier detection and can improve management options and reduce the severity of disease burden.

Emergency Department Presentations of Acute Primary Angle Closure in the United States from 2008 to 2017

Purpose

Acute primary angle closure (APAC) is an ophthalmologic emergency. Nationwide data on the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of APAC are lacking despite the associated visual morbidity.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study using the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS). The NEDS was queried by ICD-9/10 code for cases of APAC presenting to the United States emergency departments over a ten-year period from 2008 to 2017. All identified cases were included to produce nationally representative estimates. Linear regression and seasonality tests were used to identify trends. Reported outcomes include the incidence, demographics, seasonality, and economic impact of APAC regionally and nationwide.

Results

A total of 23,203 APAC-related ED visits were identified. The mean (SD) and median ages were 58.8 (16.2) and 60 years, respectively. Females (59.4%, p < 0.01), those in the lowest income quartile (6983, 30.1%, p < 0.01), and those in the seventh decade of life (5599, 24.1%) presented more frequently with APAC. The incidence of ED presentations within each age group rose with age and increased significantly over the study period (p < 0.01). The Northeast region had the highest average incidence (0.93 per 100,000 population). Significant seasonal variation was seen regionally and nationally (p < 0.01), with the highest average incidence in December and lowest in April. Median inflation adjusted charge per ED visit was $2496.10, and the total inflation adjusted charges equaled $101.5 million.

Conclusion

The incidence of APAC-related ED visits continues to rise in the United States. High-risk groups include women, individuals of low socioeconomic status, and those between ages 50 and 70. Significant seasonal and regional trends were observed in ED presentations of APAC.

Is there an association of socioeconomic deprivation with acute primary angle closure?

BACKGROUND

Socioeconomic deprivation is known to increase the risk of late presentation of many diseases. This is the largest study in United Kingdom investigating the relationship between socioeconomic deprivation and acute primary angle closure (APAC).

METHODS

A retrospective review of case notes was conducted of 718 consecutive patients who underwent laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) in Edinburgh (Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion) and Fife (Queen Margaret Hospital) between 2015 and 2019. Baseline demographics including sex, age, ethnicity, pre-existing diabetes, use of anti-depressants, and family history of glaucoma were collected. Deprivation was scored using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) Index 2020v2. A lower rank and decile indicate higher degrees of deprivation. We investigated differences in characteristics between patients who were referred routinely versus patients who referred as APAC.

RESULTS

The SIMD rank and deciles were consistently lower in patients who were referred urgently with APAC in both centres (P = <0.05) when compared to those referred routinely for LPI. On univariate and multivariate logistic regression, the presentation of APAC is negatively associated with SIMD Decile (OR = -0.101, 95% CI -0.178 to -0.026, P = 0.008) and family history of glaucoma (OR = -1.010, 95% CI -1.670 to -0.426, P = 0.001), and positively associated with age (OR = 0.029, 95% CI 0.009-0.049, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Socioeconomic deprivation is an important risk factors for patients presenting with APAC. Socioeconomic deprivation should be incorporated into the design of glaucoma services and considered when triaging patients for prophylactic and therapeutic LPI and cataract surgery.

Accuracy of perceived glaucoma risk by patients in a clinical setting

Objective

To determine whether patients attending the ophthalmology department underestimate their glaucoma risks.

Method

We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a final study population of 1203 individuals from two medical centers in Taiwan during January 1–June 30, 2019. The “High concern” group was defined as the set of patients who rated themselves as having low risk but who had been rated by physicians as having medium or high risk of developing glaucoma over the next year.

Results

Approximately 12% of the respondents belonged to the “High concern” group. For those with education at the college level or higher, the interaction term was estimated to be 0.294 (95% CI = 0.136–0.634). Marginal effect calculations revealed significant sex-based differences in the effect of knowledge at specific age intervals.

Conclusions

A considerable proportion of patients attending the ophthalmology department underestimate their glaucoma risks. Misjudgment of glaucoma risks can lead to delays in seeking of medical attention. Glaucoma education should be designed according to each patient’s education level and sex, as its effect is not consistent across different education and sex clusters.

Study of the Prevalence of Glaucoma in Kazakhstan

BACKGROUND

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of permanent visual disability around the world. However, the available literature lacks data on the prevalence of glaucoma in Central Asia, particularly in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

OBJECTIVE

The study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of glaucoma in the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan over 40 years old in 2019.

METHODS

A retrospective study was based on the analysis of the results of glaucoma screenings in 171 832 patients over 40 years old living in Kazakhstan (in 14 counties). Glaucoma cases were confirmed by Goldmann tonometry, fundus photography, and visual field testing. Demographic indicators, territorial differences, and hereditary predisposition were studied and analysed. In addition, blood pressure was measured.

RESULTS

Of 171 832 patients examined, 452 with verified glaucoma were identified. The average age of the patients was 63.9 ± 9.4. In rural areas, the prevalence of glaucoma was higher compared to the urban population. The overall prevalence of glaucoma among people over 40 years old was 2.37 ± 0.17. The prevalence of glaucoma among women was higher than for men, with an indicator of 1.91 (95% CI relative risk 1.78 - 2.03) (p < 0.05). The highest prevalence was found in the 71 - 75 age group [equals to 14.2% (95% CI 11.7 - 19.9)], with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). The highest prevalence of glaucoma was observed in the group of people with a hereditary predisposition, with an indicator of 14.7% (95% CI 0.6 - 1.9) (p < 0.05). Among all patients with concomitant arterial hypertension (n = 90, 19.9%), women (60%) compared with men (40%) had a 2.4% higher risk of glaucoma morbidity (95% CI 1.2% - 3.8%).

CONCLUSION

This study provides updated information on the prevalence of glaucoma in Kazakhstan. The results obtained confirm that the increase in the prevalence of glaucoma in Kazakhstan is directly proportional to the increase in the patients' age. These results showed the importance of screening for a timely diagnosis, especially for patients with high risk factors such as hereditary predisposition. Moreover, the results indicate that the early detection of systemic hypertension and increased intraocular pressure can be used for the prevention of undesirable outcomes such as an irreversible blindness.

Sociodemographic Factors Influencing Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Presentation and Outcome

PURPOSE

The impact of sociodemographic factors on the presentation and outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in the United States has not been described. We analyzed the impact of these factors on the presenting fovea-on or off status of RRD, single operation anatomic success (SOAS) of repair, and postoperative visual acuity (VA).

DESIGN

Retrospective, single-center, cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants included 4061 patients from Wills Eye Hospital/Mid Atlantic Retina from February 2015 to February 2020.

METHODS

Sociodemographic factors including age, gender, race, and regional mean household income (MHI) as determined by ZIP code were recorded. The VA at baseline and 12 months post-RRD repair was recorded. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic factors to fovea-on or off presentation of RRD, SOAS, and 12-month VA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Foveal attachment at presentation of RRD, SOAS, and 12-month VA.

RESULTS

Older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.34 per decade, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-1.41, P < 0.001), male gender (OR, 1.27, 95% CI, 1.11-1.45, P < 0.001), non-White race (OR, 2.41, 95% CI, 1.92-3.03, P < 0.001), and lower MHI (OR, 0.94 per $10 000, 95% CI, 0.91-0.98, P = 0.005) were independent risk factors for fovea-off presentation of RD. The need for reoperation to repair RRD within 90 days was independently associated with fovea-off presentation (OR, 1.47, 95% CI, 1.24-1.74, P < 0.001) and non-White race (OR, 1.72, 95% CI, 1.27-2.39, P < 0.001). Finally, 12-month postoperative VA was worse in patients who were fovea-off (P < 0.001), older (P = 0.041), male (P = 0.038), and non-White (P = 0.007) but was not related to MHI (P = 0.24).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings reveal associations between the sociodemographic factors and the presentation and outcomes of RRD. Physicians should be aware that socioeconomic disparities can negatively impact the prognosis of patients with RRD. Further study confirming these findings and efforts to mitigate their effects are warranted and will be of interest to the greater ophthalmology community.

Financial Presentation of Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias

IMPORTANCE

Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD), currently incurable neurodegenerative diseases, can threaten patients' financial status owing to memory deficits and changes in risk perception. Deteriorating financial capabilities are among the earliest signs of cognitive decline, but the frequency and extent of adverse financial events before and after diagnosis have not been characterized.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the financial presentation of ADRD using administrative credit data.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective secondary data analysis of consumer credit report outcomes from 1999 to 2018 linked to Medicare claims data included 81 364 Medicare beneficiaries living in single-person households.

EXPOSURES

Occurrence of adverse financial events in those with vs without ADRD diagnosis and time of adverse financial event from ADRD diagnosis.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Missed payments on credit accounts (30 or more days late) and subprime credit scores.

RESULTS

Overall, 54 062 (17 890 [33.1%] men; mean [SD] age, 74 [7.3] years) were never diagnosed with ADRD during the sample period and 27 302 had ADRD for at least 1 quarter of observation (8573 [31.4%] men; mean [SD] age, 79.4 [7.5] years). Single Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with ADRD were more likely to miss payments on credit accounts as early as 6 years prior to diagnosis compared with demographically similar beneficiaries without ADRD (7.7% vs 7.3%; absolute difference, 0.4 percentage points [pp]; 95% CI, 0.07-0.70:) and to develop subprime credit scores 2.5 years prior to diagnosis (8.5% vs 8.1%; absolute difference, 0.38 pp; 95% CI, 0.04-0.72). By the quarter after diagnosis, patients with ADRD remained more likely to miss payments than similar beneficiaries who did not develop ADRD (7.9% vs 6.9%; absolute difference, 1.0 pp; 95% CI, 0.67-1.40) and more likely to have subprime credit scores than those without ADRD (8.2% vs 7.5%; absolute difference, 0.70 pp; 95% CI, 0.34-1.1). Adverse financial events were more common among patients with ADRD in lower-education census tracts. The patterns of adverse events associated with ADRD were unique compared with other medical conditions (eg, glaucoma, hip fracture).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Alzheimer disease and related dementias were associated with adverse financial events years prior to clinical diagnosis that become more prevalent after diagnosis and were most common in lower-education census tracts.

Prevalence of glaucoma in the elderly population in Taiwan: The Shihpai Eye Study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, and the awareness status of glaucoma in an elderly Chinese population.

METHODS

A total of 460 individuals aged ≥72 years were enrolled in this cross-sectional community-based eye disease screening program. Glaucoma was diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria proposed by the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology. Characteristics of subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) were described and compared between groups using Mann-Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

Forty subjects were diagnosed with glaucoma, including 17 subjects with POAG, 22 with PACG, and one with secondary glaucoma. The estimated prevalence of glaucoma, POAG, and PACG was 8.7%, 3.7%, and 4.8%, respectively. In total, 71% of the subjects with PACG and 77% of POAG subjects presented with a normal intraocular pressure (IOP) of <19 mmHg. The demographic and ocular characteristics were similar between the two groups; however, subjects with POAG had a longer axial length and smaller vertical disc diameter than those with PACG. Further, 95% of the glaucoma subjects ever visited the eye clinic, but only 32.5% of them were aware of the disease.

CONCLUSION

Glaucoma is prevalent in the elderly population in Taiwan, but the diagnostic rate and disease awareness are low. Since most subjects with glaucoma presented with normal IOPs, optic disc evaluation is critical for diagnosing glaucoma in the elderly in Taiwan.

Time trends and heterogeneity in the disease burden of glaucoma, 1990-2017: a global analysis

Background

To evaluate the disease burden of glaucoma in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and assess the contribution of risk factors to DALY due to glaucoma.

Methods

Global, regional, and country DALY number, rate, and age-standardized rates of glaucoma were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 database. The Human Development Index (HDI), Inequality-Adjusted HDI, Socio-Demographic Index (SDI), and other country-level data were derived from international open databases. Regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between the age-standardized DALY rate and the variables.

Results

The global DALY due to glaucoma increased by 81% from 1990 to 2017 and decreased by 10% over the last two decades after adjusting for age and population size. Males had higher age-standardized DALY rates (P < 0.001). The age-standardized DALY rate was higher in countries with lower income or lower SDI (P < 0.001). The country-level age-standardized DALY rates in 2017 were negatively associated with HDI, SDI, country-level age-standardized prevalence rates of cataracts, cataract surgery rates (CRS), physician rates, and Inequality-Adjusted HDI. Stepwise multiple regressions showed that HDI, CRS, and Inequality-Adjusted HDI were significantly negatively associated with the country-level age-standardized DALY rate in 2017 after adjusting for other confounding factors (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Higher education, higher CRS, and diminishing the inequality in resource distribution may help reduce the disease burden of glaucoma. These findings can provide information for policymakers and could serve as an impetus for efforts toward alleviating the disease burden of glaucoma.

Increased risk of arterial thromboembolic events in transfusion-naïve thalassemia: a nationwide population-based study

Transfusion-naïve thalassemia minor/trait is often associated with decreased risk of coronary artery diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of transfusion-naïve thalassemia on the incidence of arterial thromboembolic events using the National Health Insurance Research Database, Taiwan (2001-2010). Data from patients with transfusion-naïve thalassemia (n=2356) frequency matched with non-thalassemia subjects (n=9424) according to sex, age, and index year at a ratio of 1:4 were included. The risk of arterial thromboembolic events, cerebrovascular ischemic events, arterial embolism/thrombosis, peripheral embolism, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, and angina pectoris in transfusion-naïve thalassemia were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard regression models. The transfusion-naïve thalassemia group had significantly higher risk of arterial thromboembolic events (aHR=1.28, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.52) and myocardial ischemia (aHR=1.41, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.76) as compared with the non-thalassemia group. In addition, they also had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of arterial thromboembolic event and myocardial ischemia. Interestingly, a higher risk of arterial thromboembolic events (aHR=1.58, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.04) and myocardial ischemia (aHR=1.73, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.41) was observed in men with thalassemia as compared with those without. Furthermore, patients with comorbidities had an increased risk of arterial thromboembolic events than did those without comorbidities. The effect of thalassemia on arterial thromboembolic events may be mainly attributed to the influence of thalassemia on myocardial ischemia, as no significant differences were observed in other outcomes evaluated in the present study. In conclusion, the present study confirms the increased risk of arterial thromboembolic events, mainly attributed to the dramatic increase in myocardial ischemia, inminor patients with transfusion-naïve thalassemia.

The Association of Socioeconomic Status with Severity of Glaucoma and the Impacts of Both Factors on the Costs of Glaucoma Medications: A Cross-Sectional Study in West Bengal, India

PURPOSE

To evaluate the association of socioeconomic status (SES) with severity of glaucoma and assess the impacts of both SES and disease-severity factors on the costs of glaucoma medications among different glaucoma subtypes in West Bengal, India.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study (2014-16) followed the treatment of 304 primary glaucoma patients for at least 18 months. The visual field based glaucoma staging was followed for stages 0-3; patients with field of vision <10° were categorized as stage 4 (end stage). We checked only the mean cost of glaucoma medications per patient and not "direct costs." The individuals' monthly incomes were classified into: low, moderate, and higher SES.

RESULTS

Urban residence (odds ratio [OR] 0.6, P < 0.009), higher SES (OR 0.3, P < 0.001), and higher awareness (nearly 50%, P < 0.007) significantly lowered the odds of having end-stage glaucoma. Sixty-nine percent primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and 79% juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) belonged to low SES, forming the bulk of end-stage glaucoma. Overall medical cost from stage 0 to advanced stage in all subtypes rises except in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Only 28% eyes from low SES were treated with branded drugs in early disease and that too declined to 16% in stage 4, while 57% higher SES used branded medications in early disease stage. Expenditure as a percent of income was the highest in JOAG (16%) followed by PACG (15%) and POAG (14%) among low SES.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate SES influences on disease outcome, the clinical management, and the glaucoma medication expenses in West Bengal. Medical costs of glaucoma increase with worsening disease severity; greater use of generic drugs does not always ensure direct cost savings.

Multiple deprivation, vision loss, and ophthalmic disease in adults: global perspectives

The association between socioeconomic position and morbidity and mortality has long been recognized. We evaluate the evidence for an association between multiple aspects of deprivation and ocular health in a global context. This is a systematic review of studies that evaluated deprivation in the adult population in the context of the major acquired causes of visual loss such as cataract, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and ocular trauma. The search strategy identified relevant studies reported between 1946 and August 2016, with randomized control trials, case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional study designs being selected for inclusion. The studies identified in this review from across the world demonstrate the extent to which the common themes such as low educational attainment and low income may be associated with increased incidence of various sight-threatening conditions and may adversely affect access to specialist assessment and delivery of treatment. Health inequality may always persist, but an increased recognition of the importance of the various impacts of deprivation may empower policy makers to target limited resources to the most vulnerable groups in order to deliver the greatest benefit.

The association between socioeconomic status and visual impairments among primary glaucoma: the results from Nationwide Korean National Health Insurance Cohort from 2004 to 2013

Background

Glaucoma is one of the most leading causes of permanent visual impairments in Korea, and social expenses spent for the glaucoma are increasing. This study is to identify association between socioeconomic status and the visual impairments caused by primary glaucoma in Korea.

Methods

This study is based on a cohort study using stratified representative samples in the National Health Insurance claim data from 2002 to 2013 with 1,025,340 representative subjects. Target subjects were patients who are newly diagnosed with primary glaucoma from 2004 to 2013. We conducted a multiple logistic regression analysis depending on the occurrence of visual impairment and its temporal order compared to the glaucoma diagnosis.

Results

Among 1728 patients with primary glaucoma, those with low and middle income shows higher odds ratio (OR) of the visual impairments than those with high income group (low income; OR = 3.42, 95% Confidential Interval (CI):2.06–5.66, middle income; OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.28–3.55), in case of the occurrence of the visual impairments preceded the diagnosis of glaucoma.

Conclusions

Glaucoma patients without pre-existing glaucoma history before visual impairment have higher association between socioeconomic status and the occurrence of visual impairments by primary glaucoma. Since glaucoma had not been diagnosed and recognized yet, the differences may have been derived from the disparities of the awareness of the glaucoma. These findings call attention to the correlation between socioeconomic factors and the visual impairments by glaucoma, and raise public health needs over the importance of glaucoma awareness and eye screening for glaucoma, especially for low socioeconomic status.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12886-017-0551-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of socioeconomic status on vision-related quality of life in primary open-angle glaucoma

PurposeTo investigate the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Patients and methodsThis prospective cross-sectional study included consecutive patients with POAG at a tertiary hospital between March 2012 and January 2013. All patients had visual acuity no worse than 20/60 in the better eye and reliable visual field tests. VRQOL was assessed by the validated Taiwan version 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25). Sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, and ocular parameters were recorded. SES was evaluated based on educational attainment and monthly income, both stratified into three levels. Analysis of variance and linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between SES, VRQOL, and clinical parameters.ResultsAmong the 186 patients recruited, intergroup differences were not observed among educational or monthly income levels for binocular vision or integrated visual field defects. Patients of lower educational and monthly income levels had lower self-reported general health ratings. After adjustment for visual function, treatment complexity, and general health in the multiple linear regression model, patients with a college degree or higher reported better NEI VFQ-25 scores for the composite score (P=0.041), mental health (P=0.035), and peripheral vision (P=0.05) than did those with education below junior high school. Monthly income levels did not affect the NEI VFQ-25 scores.ConclusionEducational attainment significantly affects VRQOL in patients with POAG. Additional counseling may be provided to patients with lower educational background to help them cope with the disease.

Patient-Reported Vision-Related Quality-of-Life Differences between Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Purpose

To investigate the different impacts on patient-reported vision-related quality of life (pVRQOL) outcomes in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma(PACG) and primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG).

Methods

Prospective cross-sectional study. PACG and POAG patients who had a best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA) in the better eye equal to or better than 20/60, intraocular pressure controlled at or below 25 mmHg and reliable visual field test were invited to participate. The control group included patients with BCVA in the better eye equal to or better than 20/60 and who did not have major eye disease. A validated Taiwanese version of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25(T)) was performed to assess pVRQOL. The association between each domain of NEI VFQ-25(T) among 3 groups was determined using multivariable linear regression analysis.

Results

A total of 106 PACG, 186 POAG, and 95 controls were enrolled. In multivariable regression analysis of all three groups(PACG/POAG/controls), compared to POAG, PACG showed a weakly positive association with social functioning (R² = 0.13, β = 0.22, P = 0.04). PACG showed no significantly negative impact on pVRQOL compared to controls. Taking only glaucoma patients into consideration, PACG patients had a higher score on social functioning compared to POAG (R² = 0.16, β = 0.27, P = 0.01). The results of other domains of NEI VFQ-25(T) between the two groups did not differ significantly(p>0.05).

Conclusions

In patients with controlled disease, the impact of PACG and POAG on most domains of NEI VFQ-25(T) were similar, except for better social functioning in PACG compared to POAG.