Prevalence and risk factors of glaucoma among the population of Ganja city, Azerbaijan

Aim. To determine prevalence of glaucoma among adult urban population on example of Ganja city of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Methods. In city polyclinics primary examination was performed in 6585 people that makes 3% of adults of the population. Among the examined patients the indications for thorough in-patient work-up were determined in 250 patients. The diagnosis of glaucoma was confirmed in 220 patients (90 males and 130 females). The prevalence of glaucoma was determined (in % of the examined patients). The patients were divided into groups according to their gender, age, education, family history, presence of eye and internal diseases. A group with the lowest prevalence of glaucoma was chosen as a reference, and the other groups were termed as study groups for the assessment of relative risk of glaucoma development.

Results. Glaucoma was revealed in 2.7±0.28% of males and 3.9±0.34% of females (p <0.05). Morbidity rate in women is higher compared to men. Risk factors of glaucoma are: intraocular pressure >21 mm Hg - 3.8±0.24%, compromised family history - 4.7±0.27%, diabetes mellitus - 3.66±0.24%, myopia - 5.7±0.3%, cataract - 10.0±0.4%, arterial hypertension - 11.9±0.4%. General morbidity rate of glaucoma among patients older than 20 years old is 3.45±0.23%. The lowest prevalence of glaucoma was determined among people of 20-29 years old (0.9±0.22%; 95% confidence interval 0.40-1.33). Prevalence of glaucoma increases with age of the examined patients. Statistically significant increase of prevalence of glaucoma is detected among population aged 40 years or older (3.3±0.49% of people aged 40-49 years) and reaches its maximum among people aged 60-69 years (12.2±1.56%).

Conclusion. Prevalence of glaucoma among population of Ganja aged 20 years and older is comparatively high; differentiated monitoring of intraocular pressure with risk factors taken into account is reliable for early detection of glaucoma.