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Retinopathy of Prematurity Trends in Taiwan: A 10-Year Nationwide Population Study
Eugene Yu-Chuan Kang1,2, Reyin Lien2,3, Nan-Kai Wang1,2,4
1Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.
Insights
The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) remained stable in Taiwan from 2002-2011. However, treatment rates for ROP increased, with low birth weight, male sex, and multiparity identified as key risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Understanding the epidemiological trends and risk factors for ROP is crucial for effective prevention and management strategies.
- Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database provides a valuable resource for large-scale epidemiological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the 10-year epidemiology of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Taiwan.
- To identify independent risk factors associated with ROP development in premature infants.
- To analyze trends in ROP incidence and treatment over a decade.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study utilizing Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (2002-2011).
- Inclusion criteria: premature infants with length of stay >28 days who survived initial discharge.
- Statistical analysis included multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for ROP.
Main Results:
- A total of 11,180 premature infants were analyzed, with 4096 (36.6%) diagnosed with ROP.
- ROP incidence remained stable, but the proportion of ROP infants requiring treatment increased significantly over the study period.
- Independent risk factors for ROP included low birth weight, male sex (OR=1.12), and multiparity (OR=1.17). Necrotizing enterocolitis showed a negative association (OR=0.72).
Conclusions:
- The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity in Taiwan demonstrated no significant change between 2002 and 2011.
- There was a notable increase in the proportion of ROP cases requiring treatment.
- Low birth weight, male sex, and multiparity are confirmed independent risk factors for ROP.
Purpose:
To investigate the 10-year epidemiology and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Taiwan using the National Health Insurance Research Database.
Methods:
All premature infants (n = 34,192) from 2002 to 2011 were screened, and those with length of stay (LOS) longer than 28 days who survived after the initial discharge were enrolled (n = 11,180). The annual incidence of ROP and the risk factors associated with it were analyzed.
Results:
A total of 4096 ROP infants, 36.6% of premature babies with LOS longer than 28 days, were identified. The numbers of newborns, premature infants, and cases with ROP decreased over time, but the proportion of extremely low birth weight infants increased over time (P < 0.01 for test of trend in number). Also, the proportion of ROP infants receiving treatment increased over time (P < 0.01 for test of trend in number). However, the incidence of ROP was steady throughout the study period. Multivariable analysis revealed that low birth weight, male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.12, P = 0.007), and multiparity (OR = 1.17, P = 0.002) were positively associated with ROP, whereas necrotizing enterocolitis (OR = 0.72, P = 0.002) had a negative association with ROP.
Conclusions:
The average incidence of ROP from 2002 to 2011 in Taiwan showed no significant change over the 10-year period. Proportion of treatment-requiring ROP increased. Low birth weight, multiparity, and male sex were independent risk factors of ROP.
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