Purpose
Investigate the epidemiology of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in a large urban public hospital, Bellevue Hospital Center (BHC), over a ten-year period from 2000 to 2010. Incidents of RVO were stratified as central (CRVO), branch (BRVO), and hemi-retinal vein occlusions (HRVO). Age at time of diagnosis, gender, race, and laterality were characterized among each group.
Methods
A query of BHC medical records from 1/1/2000 to 1/1/2010 for ICD-9 codes 362.35 and 362.36 resulted in the collection of 141 patient charts (an additional 117 charts were unavailable due to off-site location). Incidents of RVO were stratified according to status as CRVO, BRVO, or HRVO. Age, gender, race, and laterality were obtained from the medical records. Age at presentation was compared using Student’s t-test with a p-value of 0.05.
Results
Of the 141 records collected, a clinical diagnosis of RVO was made 136 times in 132 patients and 135 eyes. Of these 136 incidents, CRVO represented 35% (47 incidents), BRVO represented 52% (71), and HRVO represented 13% (18). The mean age at time of diagnosis was 62 for CRVO, 64 for BRVO, and 57 for HRVO. Differences in age among the groups were not significant (not shown). CRVO had a slight male predominance in this study with 60% of incidents occurring in men. HRVO had an even greater male predominance of 67%. BRVO had similar rates among men and women (46% and 54%, respectively). The most prevalent racial group among all groups was Hispanic patients, followed by Black patients. Laterality was similar among all three types of RVO groups with nearly equal proportions of right and left eyes affected (Table: Results).
Conclusions
In Bellevue Hospital Center, Hispanic patients were the most commonly seen racial group with retinal vascular occlusive events. This finding must be compared to the overall patient population seen at BHC which may reveal whether the incidence of RVO is significantly increased in this population or whether this finding simply reflects the demographics of the clinic population. Regardless, this finding is useful in targeting our patient population for preventative measures that may lower their risk for retinal vascular disease.
Keywords: 749 vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease •
688 retina •
463 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence