Glaucoma Treatment and Deprivation in England
Author Information
Author(s): Jeremy Hooper, Cecilia Helen Fenerty, James Roach, Robert Anthony Harper
Primary Institution: Royal College of General Practitioners
Hypothesis
Is there an association between deprivation and glaucoma prescribing in general practice?
Conclusion
PGA prescribing rates in primary care are significantly lower in deprived areas compared to affluent ones, with a delay of about 12 months in uptake.
Supporting Evidence
- PGAs accounted for approximately two-thirds of glaucoma-related prescribing.
- Prescriptions per month increased slightly over the 6-year timeline.
- Prescribing rates per 1000 population reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The number of PGA prescriptions dispensed in deprived areas was lower than in affluent areas.
- Cross-correlation analysis indicates a lag of ~12 months between national and deprived area prescribing.
Takeaway
Doctors give fewer glaucoma eye drops to people in poorer areas, and it takes longer for them to start using these drops compared to those in richer areas.
Methodology
Analysis of NHS prescribing data from April 2016 to March 2022, linked to deprivation indices, using time-series analysis and ARIMA modeling.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the use of aggregated data rather than individual-level data, which may not accurately reflect the deprivation status of patients.
Limitations
The study did not capture secondary care prescribing data or individual demographic information, and relied on GP practice-based deprivation scores.
Participant Demographics
Data was linked to GP practices categorized by deprivation quintiles, but individual demographics like age or ethnicity were not included.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.33
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 154.28 to 154.47
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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