title: Risk factors associated with pterygium and its subtypes in Korea: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the sociodemographic and health-related risk factors associated with pterygium and its subtypes in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2008 to 2010, a total of 14,920 randomly selected national representative participants of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey underwent additional ophthalmologic examinations by the Korean Ophthalmologic Society. The risk factors for pterygium in general or according to subtype (atrophic, intermediate, and fleshy) were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of pterygium was 6.7% (95% confidence interval, 5.9-7.5) in subjects aged 30 years or older. Older age, male sex, lower educational level, rural habitation, nonsmoking, and sun exposure were independent risk factors for pterygium. Among subjects with pterygium, older age, male sex, lower educational level, and nonsmoking were independent risk factors for all types of pterygium. Sun exposure for >5 h/d was the independent risk factor for the severe pterygium subtype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Socioeconomic disparities in pterygium development exist. Proper ocular examination and education to avoid excessive sun exposure would be helpful in reducing disease risk.
authors: Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Tyler Hyung Taek
authors: TH
authors: Rim
authors: JaeSung
authors: J
authors: Nam
authors: Eung Kweon
authors: EK
authors: Kim
authors: Tae-im
authors: TI
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D004522:Educational Status; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011625:Pterygium / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013472:Sunlight