Measuring Incidence and Prevalence of Uveitis and Scleritis in a National Medical Claims Database
Purpose
In the US, prior studies have sought to elucidate the epidemiology of uveitis; however, these studies have been limited in scope by age subset, localized geography, practice setting, or specialized health systems. To study the real-world incidence and prevalence of uveitis, we employed data analyses from a large, national health insurance claims database.
Methods
Medical claims and demographic data were obtained from OptumInsight Clinformatics DataMart, a national company managing private sector healthcare plans with over 57 million beneficiaries. Inclusion required continuous enrollment for at least 15 months from 2007-2015 (n=21,516,133). Inclusion in the uveitis/scleritis sample required an index diagnosis by an eye care provider, not within 3 months after incisional intraocular surgery (n=137,536). Incidence and prevalence rates for ocular inflammation by anatomic site were determined by race, age, and gender.
Results
Mean age at diagnosis of uveitis was 53.4 years, with female predilection (58%). Anterior uveitis was the primary diagnosis in 50%, scleritis 30%, posterior uveitis 15.7%, panuveitis 2.1%, and intermediate uveitis 0.6%. The overall incidence of any uveitis was 639 per 100,000, with the highest incidence in patients over 65 years of age (1,173 per 100,000). Intermediate uveitis and scleritis had higher incidence in younger patients. Blacks were noted to have higher incidence and prevalence of uveitis compared with other races.
Conclusion
Health insurance claims analyses can provide useful data regarding the real-world epidemiology of ocular inflammation nationwide.
Conflict of interest
No
Author 1
Last name
TOY
Initials of first name(s)
B
City
LA
Country
United States
Author 2
Last name
Amin
Initials of first name(s)
S
City
LA
Country
United States
Author 3
Last name
Zhang
Initials of first name(s)
Y
City
LA
Country
United States
Author 4
Last name
Ipapo
Initials of first name(s)
K
City
LA
Country
United States
Author 5
Last name
Rao
Initials of first name(s)
N
City
LA
Country
United States
Author 6
Last name
Seabury
Initials of first name(s)
S
City
LA
Country
United States
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