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Abstract #19495 Published in IGR 9-3
Risk factors for noncompliance with follow-up among normal-tension glaucoma suspects
Ngan R; Lam DL; Mudumbai RC; Chen PPAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology 2007; 144: 310-311
PURPOSE: To evaluate noncompliance with follow-up in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) suspects. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: We reviewed 203 patient charts at a university eye clinic, identified as NTG suspects from a database of optic disk photographs. Noncompliance was defined as less than one year of follow-up and/or fewer than two completed visual field (VF) tests. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (11%) were excluded because at least two VF tests were not ordered. The 181 patients analyzed included 45 (25%) non-Whites and 16 (9%) non-English speakers. Eighty-three patients (46%) were noncompliant. These patients were significantly younger (50.5 ± 15.0 years vs 55.1 ± 12.8 years; P = .028), were more likely to speak English (P = .023), and were more likely to have no or unknown health insurance (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of NTG suspects lacked appropriate follow-up. Lack of health insurance may be a significant barrier to compliance with follow-up in this population.
Dr. R. Ngan, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Classification:
9.2.4 Normal pressure glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.2 Primary open angle glaucomas)
11.17 Cooperation with medical therapy e.g. persistency, compliance, adherence (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
