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The prevalence and incidence of glaucoma in Denmark in a fifteen year period: A nationwide study
Author(s) -
Kolko M.,
Horwitz A.,
Thygesen J.,
Jeppesen J.,
TorpPedersen C.
Publication year - 2015
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/j.1755-3768.2015.0529
Subject(s) - incidence (geometry) , period (music) , glaucoma , optometry , medicine , demography , pediatrics , ophthalmology , physics , sociology , acoustics , optics
Purpose The purpose of the present study was to describe the prevalence, incidence and demographic variation of glaucoma patients in Denmark in the period from 1996 to 2011. Moreover, the aim was to identify the treatment pattern of glaucoma medication within the studied period. Methods The study population comprised all individuals living in Denmark in the period 1996‐2011. The National Prescription Registry was used to identify all claimed prescriptions for glaucoma medication. Results A total of 116,592 incident glaucoma patients were identified. Average age at onset was 66 years (range: 0‐105 year), 55% were women. The over all prevalence of glaucoma increased from 0.79% to 1.72% during the investigated period. In 2011, glaucoma affected 3.76% of the population above 50 years and 10% in patients above 80 years.The highest prevalence of glaucoma was found in capital region of Denmark. Within the studied period the use of prostaglandin analogs and combination drugs increased, whereas the use of b‐blockers, carbon anhydrase inhibitors and parasympathomimetic drugs decreased (p < 0.001). Finally, the use of a2‐adrenergic agonists remained unchanged within the studied period. A total of 75% of the patients were treated with two or more glaucoma medications. Conclusions Over all, the present study is the first assessment of the frequency and the development of glaucoma in Denmark over a 15‐year period. Glaucoma affects a little less than 2% of the total population and increases with age to reach a prevalence of more than 10% amongst people above 80 years.