The primary open-angle african american glaucoma genetics study: baseline demographics

To describe the baseline characteristics of the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) study cohort, the largest African American population with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) recruited at a single institution (University of Pennsylvania [UPenn], Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute) to date.

Population-based, cross-sectional, case-control study.

A total of 2520 African American subjects aged 35 years or more who were recruited from the greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

Each subject underwent a detailed interview and eye examination. The interview assessed demographic, behavioral, medical, and ocular risk factors. Current ZIP codes surrounding UPenn were recorded and US census data were queried to infer socioeconomic status. The eye examination included measurement of visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure, and a detailed anterior and posterior segment examination, including gonioscopy, dilated fundus and optic disc examination, visual fields, stereo disc photography, optical coherence tomography, and measurement of central corneal thickness.

The baseline characteristics of gender, age, and glaucoma diagnosis were collected. Body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes, alcohol and tobacco use, ocular conditions (including blindness, cataract, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration), and use of ocular medication and surgery were examined. Median population density, income, education level, and other socioeconomic measures were determined for the study cohort.

Of the 2520 African Americans recruited to the POAAGG study to date, 2067 (82.0%), including 807 controls and 1260 POAG cases, met all inclusion criteria and completed the detailed clinical ocular examination. Cases were more likely to have a lower BMI (P < 0.01) and report a history of blindness (VA of ≤20/200; P < 0.001), whereas controls were more likely to have diabetes (P < 0.001), have nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (P = 0.02), and be female (P < 0.001). Study participants were drawn largely from predominantly African American neighborhoods of low income, high unemployment, and lower education surrounding UPenn.

The POAAGG study has currently recruited more than 2000 African Americans eligible for a POAG genetics study. Blindness and low BMI were significantly associated with POAG. This population was predominantly recruited from neighborhoods whose population income exists at or near the federal poverty level.