Ophthalmic epidemiology最新文献

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) intake and myopia in a large population-based sample.

Methods: A cross-sectional study. Data from the population under 40 years of age were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2001 and 2008. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between SSB intake and myopia, with further exploration through propensity score matching (PSM). The generalized variance inflation factor (GVIF) was calculated to check for multicollinearity. Subgroup analyses examined the relationship between SSBs intake and myopia across demographic groups, while restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis evaluated potential non-linear associations.

Results: Of 11,851 participants under 40 years of age, 3,769 had myopia. The average consumption of SSBs showed no significant difference after PSM (emmetropia group: 623.83 ± 17.99 grams/d; myopia group:605.35 ± 20.01 grams/d; p = 0.43). Multivariable logistics regression analysis showed SSBs intake was not associated with the risk of myopia before and after PSM, and multicollinearity was unlikely among all covariates. Subgroup analyses revealed no significant interactions between SSBs intake and covariates in their relationship with myopia. RCS analyses revealed no significant nonlinear associations between SSBs intake and the risk of myopia after PSM (P for non-linear = 0.2434).

Conclusion: Our study provides initial evidence that SSBs consumption may not be a risk factor for myopia in a large-scale population. Future longitudinal and experimental studies may shed more light on the relationship between dietary factors and myopia, informing public health recommendations and interventions.

Purpose: The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) is a quantitative measurement of neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage used to identify high-risk communities. The distribution of physicians with respect to ADI can indicate decreased healthcare access in deprived neighborhoods. This study applies ADI to the distribution of ophthalmologists and demonstrates how practice patterns in the national Medicare Part D program may vary with ADI.

Methods: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Data "Medicare Part D Prescribers by Provider" data for 2021 was analyzed. Geocodio identified ADIs corresponding to the practice addresses listed in the dataset. The national rank ADIs were compared against the number of ophthalmologists. Spearman's correlation test and one-way ANOVA determined statistically significant differences in Medicare data extracted between quintiles of ADI ranks.

Results: We identified 14,668 ophthalmologists who provided care to Medicare beneficiaries. Each time ADI increased by 10, there was an average 9.4% decrease in ophthalmologists (p < 0.001). The distribution of ophthalmologists practicing throughout the United States by increasing ADI quintile are: 32%, 23%, 19%, 16%, and 9%. Providers practicing in neighborhoods in the first-ADI quintile were more likely to see Medicare beneficiaries compared to providers in the fifth-ADI quintile (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The lack of ophthalmologists in high-ADI areas results in reduced eye care access in deprived neighborhoods. Many factors contribute to these disparities including limited access to metropolitan areas/academic institutions and fewer residency programs. Future programs and policies should focus efforts on creating an even distribution of ophthalmologists across the United States and improving access to eye care.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of the DIGIROP-Birth algorithm in identifying infants at risk for developing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods: In a retrospective study, we included preterm infants over 11 years, 2010-2020, meeting the inclusion criteria for the DIGIROP-Birth calculator (24 + 0/7 to 30 + 6/7 weeks of gestational age). We assessed the validity of DIGIROP-Birth using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calculated area-under-curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values.

Results: 897 infants were included in the analysis. The median age of the first ophthalmological examination was 40 days (IQR 32-50), the median gestational age was 198 days (IQR 185-209; corresponding to 28 + 2/7 gestational weeks), median birth weight was 1000 g (IQR 790-1300). Of 897 screened children, 458 (51.1%) were diagnosed with ROP, and 34 of 897 (3.8%) required treatment.Analysis of ROP requiring treatment predicted by DIGIROP showed an AUC of 0.860 [95%-CI 0.795-0.925]. An equilibrium of sensitivity and specificity existed at a probability of 4.12%. The positive predictive value was 10.95%, and the negative predictive value was 99.36%. Independent significant peri- and postnatal risk factors were emergency cesarean section and mass blood transfusions.

Conclusions: The DIGIROP-Birth calculator showed good predictive power in our studied population, with an incidence of 3.79% for therapy-requiring ROP. Peri- and postnatal risk factors should be included in ROP screening.

Purpose: To investigate racial and ethnic inequalities in prescription of Netarsudil, one of two anti-glaucoma medications with a novel mechanism to be introduced in the past two decades, among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

Methods: This retrospective cohort matched study, based on electronic health records consisting of 92 million patients in the U.S, utilized Propensity Score Match, Relative Risk, Kaplan-Meier survival, and Chi-Square analysis to identify differences in rates of Netarsudil prescribing between racial and ethnic groups (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Other Race, and Hispanic).

Results: Among the sample of patients that met Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma inclusion criteria (55,942), more White patients were prescribed Netarsudil than Black; (RR:1.24, 95% CI: 1.15-1.34) and Hispanic; (RR:1.63, 95% CI: 1.29-2.07) patients. White patients had higher prescription rates than Black patients in the Midwest (6.5% vs 4.2%; p < 0.0001) and West (11.2% vs 7.1%; p = 0.0002), higher rates than Hispanic patients in the South (4.9% vs. 2.0%; p < 0.0001) and West (11.2% vs. 7.8%; p < 0.008), but lower rates than Black patients in the Northeast (7.2% vs. 13.2%; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Differences in Netarsudil prescription rates within the United States exist between White and Black patients, and White and Hispanic patients. These differences exist when stratified by regions within the U.S. by varying degrees. Future studies are needed to investigate factors contributing to disparities in accessing new medications and to identify ways to eliminate such barriers to improve equity in care of glaucoma patients, especially among those historically disadvantaged.

Purpose: Keratoconus is a progressive, asymmetrical corneal ectasia with multifactorial origin. Three identified risk factors for keratoconus include exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, eye rubbing, and atopy. Other factors like pollution would play a role in the physiopathology of keratoconus. In this study we investigate the effects of particles matter (PM) of 2.5 and 10 μm, but also nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and the correlation with the prevalence in the scientific literature.

Method: A literature review was performed using four databases (PubMed, Research gate, Google scholar and International Journal of Keratoconus and Ectatic Corneal Diseases) according to strict selection criteria. Levels of fine particles and nitrogen dioxide were extracted from available World Health Organization (WHO) databases and correlated with prevalences from epidemiological studies.

Results: The mean pollution rate in the selected studies was 26.88 ± 25.26 μg/m³ for PM_2.5 , 58.23 ± 60.98 μg/m³ for PM₁₀ and 24.79 ± 12.58 μg/m³ for NO₂. Pearson correlation tests revealed a significant positive correlation between prevalence of keratoconus with particles rate of PM_2.5 (R = 0.58; p < 0.001), PM₁₀ (R = 0.67; p < 0.001) and NO₂ (R = 0.64; p = 0.00016).

Conclusion: Fine particles appear to be a risk factor for keratoconus. These pollutants may act indirectly by exacerbating known risk factors such as atopy and eye rubbing. Atmospheric pollution may also have a direct effect on the cornea, by disturbing the structure of the epithelium and increasing cell apoptosis.

Purpose: To characterize the prevalence of astigmatism among the heretofore largest published sample of preschool children and to do so among different age, gender, and racial and ethnic subgroups.

Methods: This study included data from 79,330 preschoolers (49.0% female, 79.4% Latino, mean age 4.29 ± 0.66 years) who were screened using a Retinomax autorefractor between 2012 and 2017. Cylindrical power and astigmatism defined as 1.50 D or more of cylinder were the dependent variables. Children were stratified by age, race/ethnicity, and gender. T-test and chi-square analyses were performed.

Results: The average cylinder of the sample was found to be 0.65 ± 0.78 D and 11% of the children were astigmatic. Among all children, these values remain stable from age 3 (0.66 ± 0.76 D, 11.2%) to age 4 (0.66 ± 0.79 D, 11.4%, p = .53), but they decrease significantly from age 4 to age 5 (0.61 ± 0.80 D, 10.%, p < .01). Latinos have the highest average cylinder power and prevalence of astigmatism at 0.68 ± 0.82 D and 12.3%, and unlike most other race/ethnic subgroups, they do not experience an age-dependent decrease in astigmatism. While female and male students have equivalent cylindrical refractions broadly, Asian and African American females have higher levels of astigmatism than their male counterparts.

Conclusion: The data further demonstrate that Latino children in Los Angeles have significantly higher rates of astigmatism, which does not decrease during preschool years. These results emphasize the need for comprehensive school-based screening, especially among Latino enclaves in Los Angeles.

Purpose: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) by augmenting insulin release and sensitivity. We assessed the overall risk for development of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and diabetic macular edema (DME), among GLP-1RA users.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients with NPDR newly started on a GLP-1RA from a national insurance claims database was compared to a cohort of patients treated with other oral anti-diabetic agents and matched for age, sex, race, index year, and number of active diabetic medications. Exclusions occurred for < 2 years in the database before diagnosis; prior diagnoses of PDR, DME, vitreous hemorrhage, and/or other retinal vascular diseases; and prior intraocular treatment for VTDR.

Results: A total of 6093 users of GLP-1RA were matched to 14,122 controls. In the GLP-1RA cohort, 632 (10.1%), 76 (1.2%), and 544 (8.9%) patients progressed to VTDR, PDR, or DME, respectively. This is compared to 1332 (9.5%) VTDR, 165 (1.2%) PDR, or 1148 (8.1%) DME in the control group. Accounting for underlying DM severity with IPTW, no difference in hazard was seen in the GLP-1RA cohort compared to controls for progression to VTDR (HR = 1.02, 95%CI: 0.92-1.14 p = 0.69), DME (HR = 1.06, 95%CI: 0.95-1.1.9, p = 0.31), or PDR (HR = 0.81, 95%CI: 0.58-1.12, p = 0.20).

Conclusion: We found no difference in the risk for vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy, nor for its component diseases, DME or PDR, with GLP-1RA use compared to other oral anti-hyperglycemic agents in patients with NPDR.

Purpose: To evaluate the 15 year incidence and progression of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and identify risk factors among Indian population.Methods: From a cross-sectional study of 1425 subjects, 911 participants took part in the 4-year follow-up. Out of these 911 participants, 140 returned for the 15-year follow-up, with baseline examinations conducted between 2003 and 2006, and subsequent follow-ups occurring from 2007 to 2011 and the current 15-year follow-up from 2018 to 2021. Of the 140 participants, 112 were eligible for analysis after excluding individuals with ungradable fundus photographs.Results: The 15-year incidence of any diabetic retinopathy (DR) was 5%, with mild NPDR and moderate NPDR at 1.57% and 2.7%, respectively. Proliferative DR was observed in 0.71% of cases, while diabetic macular edema (DME) and sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR) rates were 0.48% and 1.10%, respectively. Age-standardized rates revealed a significant association with increasing age and incident any DR and STDR. DR progression over 15 years included 7.5% one-step and 1.75% two-step progressions, while regression was limited to 1.75% one-step regression. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that baseline duration of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, HbA1c levels, and the presence of anemia influenced the incidence of any DR, DME, and STDR. Smoking and higher HbA1c were identified as risk factors for one-step progression of DR.Conclusion: This study provides crucial insights into the long-term incidence, progression, and regression of DR among individuals with Type 2 diabetes in India.

Purpose: To investigate economic inequality in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and decompose it into its determinants using Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition (OBD).

Methods: The Tehran Geriatric Eye Study was a cross-sectional study conducted on individuals aged 60 years and older, utilizing stratified random cluster sampling. Each participant received a comprehensive optometric, and slit-lamp examination. Diagnosis and classification of AMD were conducted utilizing fundus camera images.

Results: The data of the 3268 participants were analyzed. According to OBD, a significant difference was found in AMD between the rich and poor groups (8.36%) disfavoring the poor (p < 0.001). The explained and unexplained portions comprised 93.37% and 6.63% of the difference (p < 0.001 and p = 0.405, respectively). Among study variables, age (coefficient = 4.70; p < 0.001), economic status (coefficient = 3.58; p = 0.004), and myopia (coefficient = 0.73; p = 0.001) were significant determinants of inequality in the explained portion.

Conclusion: A significant disparity in the prevalence of AMD was observed between individuals of different socioeconomic statuses, primarily attributed to the explained factors. Factors such as age, economic status, and myopia were found to have the most substantial impact in exacerbating the inequality that disadvantaged the poor group (contributing percentages: 52.17%, 39.73%, and 8.10%, respectively). The findings of this research can be valuable for health policymakers in prioritizing and addressing the determinants of inequality within the population.