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. 2009 Jan;28(1):40-2.
doi: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e3181839b06.

Keratoconus in the Medicare population

Sherman W Reeves  1 , Leon B Ellwein, Terry Kim, Roberta Constantine, Paul P Lee
Affiliations

Keratoconus in the Medicare population

Sherman W Reeves et al. Cornea. 2009 Jan.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the population-based prevalence of keratoconus in US individuals aged 65 years and older.

Design: Multiyear retrospective cross-sectional claims analysis.

Methods: Fee-for-service claims from a 5% national sample of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older were reviewed. Claims records were queried on an annual basis for the years 1999 through 2003 for ICD-9 codes specific to keratoconus. The number of beneficiaries with keratoconus-related claims was counted for each calendar year.

Results: The number of beneficiaries receiving care for keratoconus rose steadily from 15.7/100,000 beneficiaries in 1999 to 18.5/100,000 in 2003, averaging 17.5/100,000 across the 5 years of the study. Keratoconus rates declined with increasing age but did not differ by gender. Keratoconus care was more prevalent in whites than in other races.

Conclusions: Keratoconus is an uncommon disease in the Medicare population. Longitudinal analysis of Medicare claims data may provide a useful tool for monitoring uncommon diseases, such as keratoconus, in the elderly.

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Figures

Figure
Figure. Prevalence of Keratoconus per 100,000 Medicare Beneficiary Person-Years by Age
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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