Comparative Analysis of Glaucoma Screening Uptake Among First-Degree Relatives in Community-Based and Hospital-Based Approaches

Phrapokklao Hospital,Thailand1,304 enrolled

Overview

In conclusion, the study shows that the hospital-based group had a significantly higher screening uptake than the community-based group, reflecting that information from ophthalmologists and registered ophthalmic nurses is more effective and well-received than that from village health volunteers. The study suggests that increasing education and support for village health volunteers could enhance screening uptake. Factors influencing uptake include the age of FDRs, place of residence, education, presenting VA of probands, and treatment of probands. Utilizing this study's findings, spreading knowledge and training health officials at the district and sub-district levels could increase understanding of glaucoma and improve communication with the general public and at-risk groups, potentially increasing the response rate. Additionally, implementing a national free screening glaucoma program for at-risk populations, both in and outside hospitals, and organizing mobile screening units at the district level could be an effective prevention strategy against permanent vision loss from glaucoma.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

1,304

Conditions

Evaluate the Differences in Glaucoma Screening Uptake Among FDRs in Community and Hospital-based

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 40 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * All patients with POAG who had a treatment history in the ophthalmology outpatient department of Prapokklao Hospital, Chanthaburi Province, were identified from the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) database with the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) " Primary open angle glaucoma H40.1" between 1 january 2022 to 31 october 2022. A total of 1304 patients were included in this study. Exclusion Criteria: * Excluding those with closed-angle glaucoma and secondary glaucoma due to other conditions such as accidents, post-surgical complications, uveitis, or congenital.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

This study aimed to evaluate the differences in glaucoma screening uptake among FDRs in community and hospital-based settings

All patients with POAG who had a treatment history in OPD of Prapokklao Hospital, Chanthaburi Province, were identified from EMR database with ICD-10 "H40.1". These probands were then divided into two non-randomized groups: The first group, hospital-based, these patients received information from ophthalmologists and registered ophthalmic nurses, along with a brochure .Subsequently, these patients were asked to invite their FDRs - aged 40 years and above - to participate in screening. The second group, community-based, involved randomly selecting districts in Chanthaburi Province for screening, including Muang and Laem Sing districts. After excluded the patients already participating in the hospital-based group from the EMR database, 682 probands remained in the second group. In this group, village health volunteers trained in glaucoma knowledge by ophthalmologists distributed brochures and educated patients and FDRs.

Time frame: Jan 1,2022-May 31,2023

Secondary Outcomes

This study investigated the determinants influencing participation in glaucoma screening programs and the prevalence of glaucoma in FDRs.

All glaucoma patients and their FDRs underwent a detailed by history taking information such as age, underlying disease, address, time of diagnosis glaucoma, medical history treatment of glaucoma and relationship with the glaucoma patient.