High prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome and its complications in Tarragona in northeast Spain.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) in our health area, in 4 counties of Tarragona, and its involvement in the health status of the population.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study of a sample of 2,342 inhabitants aged = 60 years, randomly selected from the population census. Subjects were classified in 3 groups according to age (group 1 = 60-69 years, group 2 = 70-79 years, group 3 = over 80 years). The diagnosis of PEX was made in all cases by the same ophthalmologist, using biomicroscopic and slit-lamp evaluation. Corneal endothelial study was made by specular microscope.


RESULTS
The prevalence of PEX was 309/2,342 patients (13.19%), unilateral in 219/309 (70.87%). The prevalence of PEX in patients with open-angle glaucoma was 29.48%. Changes in corneal endothelium were higher in patients with PEX, with lower cell density and hexagonality percentage, with higher coefficient of variation, significant in age groups 2 and 3. The prevalence of cataract in patients with PEX was 80.58%, versus 54.64% in patients without PEX. Complications of cataract surgery were higher in patients with PEX and postoperative corneal edema was best correlated with a low hexagonality percentage. No systemic cardiovascular diseases were significant in patients with PEX.


CONCLUSIONS
In our health district area, a high prevalence of PEX exists. A more extensive study of the causes of these differences is needed, including analysis of the genetic makeup of the population.
Ophthalmology Service, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, IISPV, Universidad Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain. promero@grupsagessa.com
Pedro
P
Romero-Aroca
Robert
R
Masip-Serra
Inmaculada
I
Martínez-Salcedo
Merce
M
Salvat-Serra
Joan
J
Fernández-Ballart
Angel
A
Bautista-Pérez
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002452:Cell Count; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D017889:Exfoliation Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular