Andrew W Francis1, Michael E Gyasi2, Martin Adjuik2, Emmanuel Kesse2, Yifan Chen3, Rhys S R Harrison4, R A Kodjo2. 1. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. 2. Emmanuel Eye Centre, Accra, Ghana. 3. Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. 4. Department of Ophthalmology, Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust, UK.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare the clinical features of glaucoma patients who present at a rural hospital in North Eastern Ghana and an urban hospital in the capital city of Accra. METHODS: This is a multi-center retrospective case series involving records of newly diagnosed glaucoma patients with emphasis on primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Information collected included basic demographic data, intraocular pressures and optic disc measurements. RESULTS: A total of 949 patients (437 rural; 512 urban; 1868 eyes) were included. Rural vs. urban comparisons, respectively: mean age, 53.2 ± 16.3 vs. 54.5 ± 16.4 years; male: female ratio, 3:2 vs. 1:1; POAG, 78.1% vs. 50.6%; POAG suspect, 10.3% vs. 41.9%; IOP, 39.2 ± 7.1 vs. 31.8 ± 7.3 mmHg; bilateral blindness, 34.1% vs. 17.5%; uniocular blindness, 52.2% vs. 32.9%. Females at the rural hospital were twice as likely to present blind in at least one eye (OR 2.04, CI 1.36 - 3.07, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with POAG at the rural hospital present with more advanced disease characteristics.
PURPOSE: To compare the clinical features of glaucomapatients who present at a rural hospital in North Eastern Ghana and an urban hospital in the capital city of Accra. METHODS: This is a multi-center retrospective case series involving records of newly diagnosed glaucomapatients with emphasis on primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Information collected included basic demographic data, intraocular pressures and optic disc measurements. RESULTS: A total of 949 patients (437 rural; 512 urban; 1868 eyes) were included. Rural vs. urban comparisons, respectively: mean age, 53.2 ± 16.3 vs. 54.5 ± 16.4 years; male: female ratio, 3:2 vs. 1:1; POAG, 78.1% vs. 50.6%; POAG suspect, 10.3% vs. 41.9%; IOP, 39.2 ± 7.1 vs. 31.8 ± 7.3 mmHg; bilateral blindness, 34.1% vs. 17.5%; uniocular blindness, 52.2% vs. 32.9%. Females at the rural hospital were twice as likely to present blind in at least one eye (OR 2.04, CI 1.36 - 3.07, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:Patients with POAG at the rural hospital present with more advanced disease characteristics.
Entities:
Keywords:
Ghana; glaucoma; open angle; rural; urban