Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare prevalence rates and relative risk of comorbidities between patients with Wet age–related macular degeneration (AMD) and a control group without Wet AMD
Methods: :
This observational retrospective study consisted of 2003 Medicare beneficiaries that were included in the standard 5% analytic sample excluding, however, those enrolled in a Medicare Managed Care plan. The database provides information for Medicare Part A and B coverage, HMO participation, date of death, and some demographic information including race. The cohort of Wet AMD included those 65 years of age or older with a diagnoses code for AMD, defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD–9 of 362.52, 362.42, or 362.43). The control group with no Wet AMD was age and gender matched to the comparison group. A selection of the 13 most common comorbid conditions was identified based on the general population and those that are Wet AMD related (cancer, diabetes, lipids, nervous system, hypertension, stroke, respiratory system, GI disorder, skin disorders, musculoskeletal disease, external injury, depression, and bone fracture). Prevalence rates were calculated and odds ratios were analyzed using logistic regression to understand the risk for comorbid conditions.
Results: :
For all of the comorbidities evaluated, the prevalence rate for the Wet AMD cohort was significantly higher than the control group except for those with bone fracture which was similar. The risk of stroke was 11.6% higher in the Wet AMD group than the control cohort. Wet AMD patients also had a significanlty higher risk of hypertension and lipid disorders at 31.5% and 36.4% respectively. Patients with depression were 11.4% higher in the Wet AMD group compared to the control cohort.
Conclusions: :
Medicare–aged patients typically have many comorbid conditions. These data demonstrated that patients with Wet AMD have significantly greater prevalence rates of these common comorbid conditions. Wet AMD patients should be given medications that are safer with less risk of side effects and cardiovascular events in order to help maintain their health.
Keywords: aging • age-related macular degeneration • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence