Sociodemographic and clinical profiles of patients with primary open angle glaucoma in Gwagwalada, Nigeria

Abstract:

AIM: To determine and compare clinico-sociodemographic profiles of primary open angle glaucoma(POAG)with non-glaucoma eye patients in Gwagwalada, Nigeria.

METHODS:A cross-sectional comparative study. A total of 235 adult patients including 96 with POAG and 139 non-glaucoma were included. General characteristics such as age, gender, education, vocation, ethnicity, family history of glaucoma, ocular itching, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were recorded. Ocular examinations included visual acuity, central visual field, cup disc ratio, anterior chamber angle assessment, and intraocular pressure.

RESULTS:Mean age was 49.88+13.75 years and 114(48.5%)were males. Patients with POAG comprised 42 ethnics with Igbo(24/96, 25.0%)and Yoruba(20/96, 20.8%)being most common. Most POAG(74/96, 77.1%)were in the age range 40-69. The POAG(73/96, 76.0%)had varied visual impairment. The POAG versus non-glaucoma as follows: positive family history of glaucoma(34/96, 35.4%)vs (25/139, 18.0%; P=0.012); history of diabetes mellitus(8/96, 8.3%)vs(6/139, 4.3%); hypertension(24/96, 25.0%)vs(28/139, 20.1%); combined diabetes mellitus and hypertension(1/96, 1.0%)vs(4/139, 2.9%; P=0.268); antidiabetic drugs(5/96, 5.2%)vs(7/139, 5.0%); antihypertensives drugs(24/96, 25.0%)vs(23/139, 16.5%); combined antidiabetic and antihypertensive drugs(4/96, 4.2%)vs(5/139, 3.6%; P=0.328); ocular itching(18/96, 18.7%)vs(37/139, 26.6%; P=0.328); visual impairment \〖right eye(RE):51/96, 53.1%; left eye(LE):60/96, 62.5%\〗 vs(RE:40/139, 28.7%; LE:37/139, 26.6%; P=0.000); vertical cup disc ratio>0.4(RE: 96/96, 100.0%; LE:96/96, 100.0%)vs(RE:131/139, 94.2%; LE:124/139, 89.2%)(RE: P=0.307; LE: P=0.006); intraocular pressure >22 mmHg(RE: 17/96, 17.7%; LE: 22/96, 22.9%)vs(RE: 2/139, 1.4%; LE: 2/139, 1.4%; P=0.006). Most POAG(60/96, 62.5%)were on antiglaucoma drugs and(23/96, 24.0%)were yet to commence medication(P=0.000). Many POAG(32/96, 33.3%)were on combination antiglaucoma drugs of beta blockers, prostaglandin inhibitors and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

CONCLUSION:Glaucoma has distinguishing clinico-sociodemographic features from other eye conditions. Many participants affirmed family history of glaucoma, and most glaucoma participants were on antiglaucoma treatment. The visual impairment including blindness was significantly associated with glaucoma. The study affirmed open angle glaucoma was associated with high cup-disc ratio and high intra ocular pressure.

Key words:primary open angle glaucoma; Nigeria; glaucoma; sociodemography