Incidence of retinal vein occlusion in open-angle glaucoma: a nationwide, population-based study using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Database

Abstract

Importance: We determined the association between retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in a Korean population by reviewing a dataset obtained from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA).

Background: To compare the RVO incidence for OAG patients with that for the general population in order to determine the association between RVO and OAG.

Design: Nationwide population-based retrospective study.

Participants: HIRA data for 2011 through 2015.

Methods: The HIRA data for 2011 through 2015 was analysed in order to determine the incidence rates of RVO in the general population and in OAG patients. The standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of RVO for OAG patients were determined with respect to the age- and gender-matched general population.

Main outcome measures: SIRs of RVO.

Results: The RVO incidence rate for the general population during the 4-year study period (2012-2015) was 74.16 per 100 000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI], 73.79-74.54). A total of 272 143 OAG patients were identified in 2011 as the population at risk. The RVO incidence rate for the OAG patients was 528.95 per 100 000 person-years (95% CI, 515.46-542.79). The expected incidences of RVO in the OAG patients were 1760.66 during the 4-year study period. On the other hand, the observed incidences of RVO were 5758. The SIR of RVO for OAG patients in reference to the general population was 3.27 (95% CI, 3.19-3.35).

Conclusions and relevance: The RVO incidence rate for OAG patients is significantly higher than that for the general population.

Keywords: Korean health insurance review and assessment database; incidence; open-angle glaucoma; retinal vein occlusion.