Demographic and Epidemiological Profile of Patients with Adult-onset Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in a Tertiary Niger-Delta Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Background/Objective: This was a prospective study of patients attending the Glaucoma Clinic at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria and were diagnosed with adult-onset Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). The objective of the study was to identify and report the demographic and epidemiological characteristics and comorbid states of patients diagnosed with adult-onset POAG. Materials and Methods: Clinical assessment of patients combined with findings from clinical records and interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire were used to obtain relevant data from the respondents between January and December 2021. Data collected included demographic data, ethnicity, comorbidity and family history of glaucoma. Results: Eight hundred and fifty(n=850) POAG patients adult aged ≥40 years were recruited in this study. The mean age was 60.5 ± SD 10.1 years. The modal age group was 60-69 years. Seven hundred and seventy-two (n=777; 90.8%) had various forms of visual impairment. Five hundred and twenty-six (n=526; 61.9%) had positive family history of glaucoma in first degree relatives while 120 (14.1%) had positive family history of glaucoma in second degree relatives. Comorbidities associated with adult-onset POAG were cataract (44%), diabetes mellitus (30%) and systemic hypertension (26%). Conclusion: Risk factors for adult-onset POAG in the Niger-Delta are similar to those reported in other black populations in Africa - impaired vision, positive family history of glaucoma, diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertension and cataract. Knowledge of patients’ demographic and epidemiological details are vital for early detection and treatment, thereby reducing the scourge arising from POAG in our population. Keywords: Adult-onset POAG, demographic profile, epidemiological profile, Niger-DeltaRegion, Nigeria.