Elana Meer1, Drew Scoles1, Peiying Hua2, Brendan McGeehan2, Brian L VanderBeek1,3,4. 1. Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. 2. Center for Preventative Ophthalmology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. 3. Center for Pharmacoepidemiology Research and Training, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. 4. Leonard Davis Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine how to practice patterns for work-up of incident retinal artery occlusion (RAO) compare to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) guidelines. METHODS: In this cohort study, patients receiving a new diagnosis of RAO, either central (CRAO) or branch (BRAO), were identified between 2002 and 2020 from a large US medical claims database. Claims were reviewed for diagnostic tests specified by the AAO as essential components of an RAO work-up including carotid ultrasound, echocardiogram, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and emergency department (ED) referral. Outcomes included rates of and time to completion of work-up. RESULTS: 18697 new outpatient diagnoses of RAO (11348 BRAO, 7349 CRAO) were analyzed. 15.9% and 30.4% of patients received carotid ultrasounds within 7 and 30 days, respectively. 9.4% and 21.1% of patients received echocardiograms within 7 and 30 days, respectively. 4.9% and 8.1% of patients received a brain MRIs within 7 and 30 days, respectively. Only 4.1% of patients were referred to the ED within a day of diagnosis. Ophthalmologists diagnosed the majority (78.7%) of RAOs compared to neurologists (0.6%). Patients diagnosed by ophthalmologists were significantly more likely to have carotid ultrasound within 7 days, but those diagnosed by neurologists were more likely to have echocardiogram, MRI, and ED referral (p < .01 for all comparisons). The rates of adherence to the AAO care guidelines increased significantly between 2002 and 2020 (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The referral and work-up practices demonstrated in this new RAO diagnosis patient cohort have improved with time but are still far below the standard recommended by the AAO.
PURPOSE: To determine how to practice patterns for work-up of incident retinal artery occlusion (RAO) compare to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) guidelines. METHODS: In this cohort study, patients receiving a new diagnosis of RAO, either central (CRAO) or branch (BRAO), were identified between 2002 and 2020 from a large US medical claims database. Claims were reviewed for diagnostic tests specified by the AAO as essential components of an RAO work-up including carotid ultrasound, echocardiogram, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and emergency department (ED) referral. Outcomes included rates of and time to completion of work-up. RESULTS: 18697 new outpatient diagnoses of RAO (11348 BRAO, 7349 CRAO) were analyzed. 15.9% and 30.4% of patients received carotid ultrasounds within 7 and 30 days, respectively. 9.4% and 21.1% of patients received echocardiograms within 7 and 30 days, respectively. 4.9% and 8.1% of patients received a brain MRIs within 7 and 30 days, respectively. Only 4.1% of patients were referred to the ED within a day of diagnosis. Ophthalmologists diagnosed the majority (78.7%) of RAOs compared to neurologists (0.6%). Patients diagnosed by ophthalmologists were significantly more likely to have carotid ultrasound within 7 days, but those diagnosed by neurologists were more likely to have echocardiogram, MRI, and ED referral (p < .01 for all comparisons). The rates of adherence to the AAO care guidelines increased significantly between 2002 and 2020 (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The referral and work-up practices demonstrated in this new RAO diagnosis patient cohort have improved with time but are still far below the standard recommended by the AAO.
Entities:
Keywords:
Retinal Artery Occlusion; care trends; emergency management
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