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Abstract #13045 Published in IGR 7-3
Racial differences in glaucoma care: the longitudinal pattern of care
Ostermann J; Sloan FA; Herndon L; Lee PPArchives of Ophthalmology 2005; 123: 1693-1698
OBJECTIVE: To examine if racial differences exist in longitudinal care patterns for Medicare beneficiaries with glaucoma. METHODS: We analyzed national longitudinal Medicare claims data from January 1, 1991, through December 31, 1999 in 21 644 Medicare beneficiaries linked to the National Long-Term Care Survey. Logistic regression was used to predict whether a person underwent an eye examination or eye surgery during the year, and negative binomial regression was used to predict the number of eye examinations and surgical procedures for glaucoma per year. Annual use of eye examinations was nearly identical for black persons (1.85 per year) and white persons (1.89 per year), whereas surgery rates were higher among blacks (0.15) than whites (0.08, P < .001). RESULTS: Blacks were more likely than whites to have glaucoma diagnosed, but rates among whites were higher than in prior population-based studies. When we controlled for other factors, blacks were not significantly less likely to undergo eye examination during the year; however, blacks were 78% more likely to undergo surgery (P < .001) and had 76% higher rates of surgical procedures (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: No systematic pattern was found of underuse among blacks relative to whites after glaucoma diagnosis. Higher rates of surgery among blacks may indicate delayed onset of care and/or greater disease severity.
Dr. J. Ostermann, Center for Health Policy, Law, and Management, Departments of Economics and Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, NC, USA
Classification:
11.1 General management, indication (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
12.1 General management, indication (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment)
