July 2019
Volume 60, Issue 9
Open Access
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   July 2019
Measuring the Incidence and Prevalence of Uveitis and Scleritis in a National Medical Claims Database
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Sarina Amin
    University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Seth A Seabury
    University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Narsing A Rao
    University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Khristina Ipapo
    University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Brian C Toy
    University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   Sarina Amin, None; Seth Seabury, Precision Health Economics (C); Narsing Rao, None; Khristina Ipapo, None; Brian Toy, None
  • Footnotes
    Support  Research to Prevent Blindness Unrestricted Grant
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science July 2019, Vol.60, 6658. doi:
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      Sarina Amin, Seth A Seabury, Narsing A Rao, Khristina Ipapo, Brian C Toy; Measuring the Incidence and Prevalence of Uveitis and Scleritis in a National Medical Claims Database. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2019;60(9):6658.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose : In the US, prior studies have sought to elucidate the incidence and prevalence of uveitis; however, these studies have been limited in scope by age subset, localized geography, practice setting, or specialized health systems environment. To study the real-world epidemiology of uveitis, specifically its incidence and prevalence, this study employed data analyses from a large, national health insurance claims database.

Methods : Medical claims and demographic data were obtained from OptumInsight Clinformatics Data Mart, a national company managing private sector healthcare plans with over 57 million beneficiaries. Inclusion required continuous enrollment for at least 15 months within 2007 to 2015 (n=21,516,133). Inclusion in the uveitis/scleritis sample required an index uveitis/scleritis diagnosis from an eye care provider. Patients with index uveitis diagnosis within 3 months after incisional intraocular surgery were excluded. The first uveitis/scleritis claim that met these criteria was considered the incident case (n=137,536). Incidence and prevalence rates for ocular inflammation were determined by race, age and gender and were further characterized by anatomic site.

Results : The average age at diagnosis of uveitis was 53.4 years, with a predilection for females (58%). Anterior uveitis was the primary diagnosis in 50% of patients, scleritis in 30%, posterior uveitis in 15.7%, panuveitis in 2.1%, and intermediate uveitis in 0.6%. The overall incidence rate of any uveitis in all ages and genders 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 rates in younger patients. Anterior uveitis had the highest incidence of 319 per 100,000 and highest prevalence of 336 per 100,000. Blacks were noted to have higher incidence and prevalence of uveitis compared with other races. Higher household income ($100K+) was associated with higher rates of uveitis, while less than high school level of education was associated with the lowest rates (0.4%). In some cases, these associations may reflect ascertainment bias with regard to relative likelihood of seeking health care.

Conclusions : Health insurance claims analyses can provide useful data regarding the real-world incidence and prevalence of uveitis and related ocular inflammation nationwide.

This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.

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