Premium
Overdiagnosis of open‐angle glaucoma in the general population: the Thessaloniki Eye Study
Author(s) -
Founti Panayiota,
Coleman Anne L,
Wilson M Roy,
Yu Fei,
Anastasopoulos Eleftherios,
Harris Alon,
Pappas Theofanis,
Koskosas Archimidis,
Kilintzis Vassilis,
Salonikiou Angeliki,
Raptou Anastasia,
Topouzis Fotis
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/aos.13758
Subject(s) - overdiagnosis , medicine , glaucoma , ophthalmology , gonioscopy , odds ratio , population , logistic regression , open angle glaucoma , intraocular pressure , environmental health
Purpose To assess the overdiagnosis of open‐angle glaucoma ( OAG ) and to investigate associated factors. Methods This was a cross‐sectional, population‐based study of an urban Caucasian population in northern Greece. Randomly selected subjects ≥60 years ( n = 2554) participated in the Thessaloniki Eye Study. The definition of OAG required the presence of structural and functional damage, irrespective of intraocular pressure ( IOP ). Non‐ OAG subjects were classified as overdiagnosed with OAG if they had reported at least one of the following (self‐reported glaucoma): (i) prior diagnosis of glaucoma, (ii) prior laser for glaucoma, (iii) prior glaucoma surgery. Factors associated with the overdiagnosis of OAG were investigated using a logistic regression model. Results Of 57 (2.2%) subjects with self‐reported glaucoma, 34 (60%) were overdiagnosed with OAG , corresponding to a prevalence of 1.3% (34/2554). In a logistic regression model among non‐ OAG subjects, worse visual acuity (VA) (20/200 or worse versus 20/25 or better; odds ratio ( OR ) = 4.30, 95% Confidence Intervals ( CI ), 1.13–16.35), family history of glaucoma ( OR = 8.69, 95% CI , 2.83–26.67) and history of cataract surgery ( OR = 11.50, 95% CI , 3.85–34.36) were statistically significantly associated with the overdiagnosis of OAG . Age, sex, higher IOP , higher vertical cup‐to‐disc ratio and pseudoexfoliation were not statistically significant. Conclusion The overdiagnosis of OAG was substantial in this elderly, Caucasian population. The overdiagnosis of glaucoma has not been previously addressed in population‐based studies and needs to be further explored.