Focusing on patients at high-risk for glaucoma in Brazil: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the results of a pilot study for screening high-risk individuals for glaucoma in Brazil.


METHODS
Using cross-sectional methodology, the study population consisted of first-degree relatives of known glaucoma patients. Risk factors were assessed through a questionnaire, and each subject received a complete eye examination.


RESULTS
Sixty individuals were identified and examined. The most relevant risk factors for glaucoma were: age older than 40 years (86.7%), systemic hypertension (46.7%), and self-identification as non-white (35%). Final diagnoses were normal (63.3%), glaucoma (23.3%), ocular hypertension (11.7%), and angle-closure without glaucoma (1.7%). Clinical features that were significant as an indicator of glaucoma presence were non-white participants (OR=6.7, p=0.004), central corneal thickness < 520 microm (OR=6.286, p=0.007), and cup-to-disc ratio >or= 0.6 (OR=3.00, p=0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite our study's small sample size, this high prevalence of glaucoma (23.3%) highlights the importance of identifying for screening at-risk, first-degree relatives of glaucoma patients. Pachymetry was an important diagnostic tool for glaucoma within this population.
Paletta Guedes Ophthalmic Center, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil. palettaguedes@yahoo.com
R A Paletta
RA
Guedes
V M Paletta
VM
Guedes
A
A
Chaoubah
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007498:Iris / Q000601:surgery; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones