PURPOSE: To estimate incidence, temporal trends, and factors associated with inpatient hospitalization due to corneal ulcers in the United States. METHODS: Data on inpatient hospitalizations due to corneal ulcers between 2002 and 2012 were reviewed using the National Inpatient Sample. A literature review was conducted to identify the most common causes of corneal ulcers, and use of contact lenses. RESULTS: An estimated 19,878 patients were seen in US emergency departments for evaluation of corneal ulcers in 2012. Rates of inpatient hospitalization due to corneal ulcers remained comparable over the decade (2003: 4.9, 95% confidence interval, CI, 3.0-6.7; 2012: 2.7, 95% CI 2.2-3.3 patients per million US population). Among those hospitalized for ophthalmic disease, patients holding public or no insurance (odds ratio, OR, 1.8 and 2.5, respectively, p<0.001), from low-income neighborhoods (OR 1.6, p < 0.001), and of older age (OR 3.4, p < 0.001) were more likely to be hospitalized for corneal ulceration. Medical conditions associated with hospitalization for corneal ulcer included history of keratitis (7.7%, p < 0.001), HIV infection (2.6%, p = 0.003), history of contact lens-related complications (2.5%, p < 0.001), and history of eye injury (2.5%, p = 0.001). Patients with a history of keratitis (p = 0.006) or rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.001) were each twice as likely to receive a corneal transplant. CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with hospitalization for corneal ulcer include insurance status in addition to history of contact lens-related disease and keratitis. Efforts should be made to address these factors prior to development of severe ulcers.
PURPOSE: To estimate incidence, temporal trends, and factors associated with inpatient hospitalization due to corneal ulcers in the United States. METHODS: Data on inpatient hospitalizations due to corneal ulcers between 2002 and 2012 were reviewed using the National Inpatient Sample. A literature review was conducted to identify the most common causes of corneal ulcers, and use of contact lenses. RESULTS: An estimated 19,878 patients were seen in US emergency departments for evaluation of corneal ulcers in 2012. Rates of inpatient hospitalization due to corneal ulcers remained comparable over the decade (2003: 4.9, 95% confidence interval, CI, 3.0-6.7; 2012: 2.7, 95% CI 2.2-3.3 patients per million US population). Among those hospitalized for ophthalmic disease, patients holding public or no insurance (odds ratio, OR, 1.8 and 2.5, respectively, p<0.001), from low-income neighborhoods (OR 1.6, p < 0.001), and of older age (OR 3.4, p < 0.001) were more likely to be hospitalized for corneal ulceration. Medical conditions associated with hospitalization for corneal ulcer included history of keratitis (7.7%, p < 0.001), HIV infection (2.6%, p = 0.003), history of contact lens-related complications (2.5%, p < 0.001), and history of eye injury (2.5%, p = 0.001). Patients with a history of keratitis (p = 0.006) or rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.001) were each twice as likely to receive a corneal transplant. CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with hospitalization for corneal ulcer include insurance status in addition to history of contact lens-related disease and keratitis. Efforts should be made to address these factors prior to development of severe ulcers.
Authors: Majid Moshirfar; Grant C Hopping; Uma Vaidyanathan; Harry Liu; Anisha N Somani; Yasmyne C Ronquillo; Phillip C Hoopes Journal: Med Hypothesis Discov Innov Ophthalmol Date: 2019
Authors: Matthias F Kriegel; Jennifer Huang; Hamza A Ashfaq; Leslie M Niziol; Mohana Preethi; Huan Tan; Megan M Tuohy; Tapan P Patel; Venkatesh Prajna; Maria A Woodward Journal: Cornea Date: 2020-05 Impact factor: 3.152
Authors: Megan M Tuohy; Leslie M Niziol; Shazhad I Mian; Dena Ballouz; David Bosch; Maria A Woodward Journal: Cornea Date: 2021-01 Impact factor: 3.152