Eugene Yu-Chuan Kang1,2, Reyin Lien2,3, Nan-Kai Wang1,2,4, Chi-Chun Lai1,2, Kuan-Jen Chen1,2, Yih-Shiou Hwang1,2, Ciao-Ming Lin5, Wei-Chi Wu1,2, Kuang-Hung Hsu5,6,7. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan. 2. Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 3. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan. 4. Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States. 5. Laboratory for Epidemiology, Department of Health Care Management, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 6. Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 7. Department of Urology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the 10-year epidemiology and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Taiwan using the National Health Insurance Research Database. Methods: All premature infants (n = 34,192) from 2002 to 2011 were screened, and those with length of stay (LOS) longer than 28 days who survived after the initial discharge were enrolled (n = 11,180). The annual incidence of ROP and the risk factors associated with it were analyzed. Results: A total of 4096 ROP infants, 36.6% of premature babies with LOS longer than 28 days, were identified. The numbers of newborns, premature infants, and cases with ROP decreased over time, but the proportion of extremely low birth weight infants increased over time (P < 0.01 for test of trend in number). Also, the proportion of ROP infants receiving treatment increased over time (P < 0.01 for test of trend in number). However, the incidence of ROP was steady throughout the study period. Multivariable analysis revealed that low birth weight, male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.12, P = 0.007), and multiparity (OR = 1.17, P = 0.002) were positively associated with ROP, whereas necrotizing enterocolitis (OR = 0.72, P = 0.002) had a negative association with ROP. Conclusions: The average incidence of ROP from 2002 to 2011 in Taiwan showed no significant change over the 10-year period. Proportion of treatment-requiring ROP increased. Low birth weight, multiparity, and male sex were independent risk factors of ROP.
Purpose: To investigate the 10-year epidemiology and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Taiwan using the National Health Insurance Research Database. Methods: All premature infants (n = 34,192) from 2002 to 2011 were screened, and those with length of stay (LOS) longer than 28 days who survived after the initial discharge were enrolled (n = 11,180). The annual incidence of ROP and the risk factors associated with it were analyzed. Results: A total of 4096 ROP infants, 36.6% of premature babies with LOS longer than 28 days, were identified. The numbers of newborns, premature infants, and cases with ROP decreased over time, but the proportion of extremely low birth weight infants increased over time (P < 0.01 for test of trend in number). Also, the proportion of ROP infants receiving treatment increased over time (P < 0.01 for test of trend in number). However, the incidence of ROP was steady throughout the study period. Multivariable analysis revealed that low birth weight, male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.12, P = 0.007), and multiparity (OR = 1.17, P = 0.002) were positively associated with ROP, whereas necrotizing enterocolitis (OR = 0.72, P = 0.002) had a negative association with ROP. Conclusions: The average incidence of ROP from 2002 to 2011 in Taiwan showed no significant change over the 10-year period. Proportion of treatment-requiring ROP increased. Low birth weight, multiparity, and male sex were independent risk factors of ROP.