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Regional variation in the incidence of pseudo-exfoliation in the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study (APEDS)

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Abstract

Background

To report the 15-year incidence rate of pseudo-exfoliation (PXF),  PXF glaucoma and regional variation among rural participants in the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study (APEDS) III.

Methods

This population-based longitudinal study was carried out at three rural study sites. Individuals of all ages who participated at baseline with a mean 15-year follow-up visit were included. Detailed Comprehensive ophthalmic examination was performed on all participants. The main outcome measure was development of PXF during the follow-up period in participants who were phakic in one or both eyes without PXF at baseline.

Results

Among 5395 participants, 5108 (94.6%) met the inclusion criteria. There were 93 (1.82%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.47–2.22) cases of incident PXF. Their median baseline age (1st, 3rd quartiles) was 51 (44, 59) years and the male: female ratio was 1.3:1. There was no case of incident PXF in participants aged <30 years at baseline. The incidence rate per 100 person years (95% CI) among all ages and those aged ≥30 years at baseline was 1.73 (1.64–1.82) and 3.73 (3.53–3.93), respectively. PXF material was located on iris as well as anterior surface of lens and it was often bilateral. Participants living in two study sites and increasing age were associated with the incidence of PXF. The 15-year incidence of PXF glaucoma (95% CI) in participants ≥30 years of age at baseline was 0.33% (0.14–0.66).

Conclusion

There is significant regional variation in incidence of PXF in south India which warrants further investigation.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation, India, Lions Clubs International Foundation, SightFirst Research grant, USA, and Department of Biotechnology, Centre of Excellence (CoE) grant, India.

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NSC was responsible for data analysis, drafted the manuscript, approved the final version and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. RCK conceived and designed the work that led to the submission, acquired data, and played an important role in interpreting the results, revised the manuscript, approved the final version and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. CG played an important role in interpreting the results, revised the manuscript, approved the final version and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. All the remaining authors acquired data, played a role in interpreting the results, revised the manuscript, approved the final version and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

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Correspondence to Rohit C. Khanna.

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Choudhari, N.S., Khanna, R.C., Marmamula, S. et al. Regional variation in the incidence of pseudo-exfoliation in the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study (APEDS). Eye 37, 1704–1710 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-022-02226-9

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