Dataset Information

Geographic Variation in the Use of Diagnostic Testing of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Open-Angle Glaucoma.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To determine the extent of geographic variation in the proportion of patients with newly diagnosed open-angle glaucoma (OAG) undergoing visual field (VF) testing, fundus photography (FP), and other ocular imaging (OOI) among patients residing in different US communities.

Design

Retrospective, longitudinal cohort study.

Participants

All enrollees with newly diagnosed OAG enrolled in a managed care network between 2001 and 2014.

Methods

We identified all persons in the plan with incident OAG residing in 201 communities across the United States. All communities contributed ≥20 enrollees. The proportion of enrollees undergoing ≥1 VF test, FP, OOI, and no testing of any type in the 2 years after first OAG diagnosis was determined for each community, and comparisons were made to assess the extent of variation in use of diagnostic testing among patients residing in the different communities.

Main outcome measures

Receipt of VF testing, FP, OOI, or none of these tests in the 2 years after initial OAG diagnosis.

Results

Of the 56675 enrollees with newly diagnosed OAG, the mean proportion of patients undergoing VF testing within 2 years of initial diagnosis was 74%±7%, ranging from as low as 51% in Rochester, Minnesota, to as high as 95% in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The mean proportion undergoing OOI was 63%±10% and varied from 34% in Palm Springs/Rancho Mira, California, to 85% in Charleston, South Carolina. The mean proportion receiving FP was 26%±10% and ranged from as low as 3% in Fresno, California, to as high as 57% in Harlingen, Texas. The proportion undergoing no glaucoma testing ranged from 0% in Binghamton, New York, to as high as 35% in 2 other communities.

Conclusions

In many US communities, a high proportion of patients are undergoing testing according to established practice guidelines. However, in several communities, less than 60% of patients with newly diagnosed OAG are undergoing VF testing in the 2 years after initial OAG diagnosis, and in a few communities >1 in 4 patients have no record of glaucoma diagnostic testing of any type. Additional research is needed to understand factors driving this variation in practice patterns and its impact on patient outcomes.

SUBMITTER: Elam AR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9252164 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:ImportanceRecent studies indicate that alcohol consumption is linked to increased intraocular pressure and higher prevalence of open-angle glaucoma (OAG). However, there is insufficient evidence to establish any correlation between alcohol abstinence and improved outcomes in patients with OAG.ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between alcohol consumption status (and its changes) and risk of incident severe visual impairment (VI) or blindness in patients with newly diagnosed OAG.Design, setting, and participantsThis retrospective, nationwide, population-based cohort study used the Korean National Health Insurance Service's claims and health examination database to enroll patients who were newly diagnosed with OAG between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011, and had been alcohol drinkers before their OAG diagnosis. The cohort was followed up until December 2020. The data were analyzed from February to December 2022.ExposuresThe patients were categorized into 2 groups based on their post-OAG diagnosis alcohol consumption status: sustainers and abstainers. The risks of severe VI or blindness were compared using weighted Cox proportional hazards regression models along with inverse probability of treatment weighting.Main outcomes and measuresIncident severe VI or blindness.ResultsAmong 13 643 patients with newly diagnosed OAG (mean [SD] age, 53.7 [11.9] years; 12 066 men [88.4%]) who were drinkers, 2866 (21.0%) quit drinking after the diagnosis. During 91 366 person-years of follow-up, patients abstaining from alcohol after their OAG diagnosis had a lower risk of severe VI or blindness than did those who had sustained drinking (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] after inverse probability of treatment weighting, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.45-0.87). Among the sustained drinkers, both mild consumption (<105 g/wk; AHR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.01-2.28) and moderate to heavy consumption (≥105 g/wk; AHR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.11-2.86) after OAG diagnosis were associated with higher risk of severe VI or blindness relative to abstainers. Frequent drinking (≥4 d/wk) also was associated with a higher risk of severe VI or blindness (AHR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.52-4.33) compared with abstinence.Conclusions and relevanceIn this cohort study of patients with OAG who were drinkers, abstaining from alcohol after an OAG diagnosis was associated with lower risk of severe VI or blindness. These findings suggest that lifestyle interventions, such as alcohol abstinence, could be essential for patients with newly diagnosed OAG.

Project description:PurposeTo determine whether 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) affect the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in persons with hyperlipidemia.DesignRetrospective, longitudinal cohort analysis.ParticipantsIndividuals aged ?60 years with hyperlipidemia enrolled in a national United States managed care network between 2001 and 2009.MethodsMultivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between statin use and the development of OAG (from no prior OAG diagnosis), progression from a prior diagnosis of glaucoma suspect to a diagnosis of OAG, and need for medical or operative interventions for OAG. Regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic factors and medical and ocular comorbidities.Main outcome measuresHazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsOf the 524 109 individuals with hyperlipidemia, 316 182 (60%) had ?1 outpatient prescription for statins. The hazard of developing OAG decreased 0.3% (adjusted HR, 0.997; 95% CI 0.994-0.999) for every additional month of statin consumption. Individuals with hyperlipidemia who took statins continuously for 2 years had an 8% (adjusted HR, 0.922; 95% CI, 0.870-0.976) decreased OAG risk relative to those who received no statin therapy. The hazard of progressing from a diagnosis of glaucoma suspect to OAG decreased 0.4% (adjusted HR, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.993-0.999) for every additional month of statin exposure. Individuals who took statins continuously for 2 years had a 9% (adjusted HR, 0.907; 95% CI, 0.846-0.973) decreased risk of progressing from glaucoma suspect to OAG relative to those who received no statin therapy. The hazard of requiring medical treatment for OAG decreased 0.4% (adjusted HR, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.993-0.998) for every additional month of statin exposure. No differences in need for glaucoma surgery were noted among those with OAG who were and were not taking statins (adjusted HR, 1.002; 95% CI, 0.994-1.010).ConclusionsStatin use was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of OAG among persons with hyperlipidemia. Given the mounting evidence of statin protection against OAG including both basic science and observational clinical studies, an interventional prospective study might provide additional insights into the role of statins in the prevention of early OAG.