Diagnosed cataracts in patients with cystic fibrosis in a United States administrative database

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground: We estimated the incidence and prevalence of diagnosed cataracts among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) versus the general population (GP).Methods: Using a large US health insurance claims database, we identified a CF cohort and a GP cohort matched with respect to age, gender, and calendar year. The prevalence and incidence of diagnosed cataract (primary outcome) for both cohorts were calculated, as well as the incidence rate ratios (IRRs).Results: The prevalence of diagnosed cataracts among patients with CF alive and enrolled in the health plan on August 31, 2012 was 4.8% versus 2.8% in the GP. The incidence in the CF cohort was higher than in the GP and increased with age in both cohorts. The adjusted IRR comparing the CF and GP cohorts was 1.5 (95% CI: 1.2–1.8).Conclusions: The study suggests that the risk of developing cataract was higher among patients with CF than among the GP.