EPIDEMIOLOGY AND BURDEN OF PRIMARY OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA IN GERMANY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL CLAIMS DATA ANALYSIS, 2018-2024
Author(s)
Tarcyane B. Garcia, PhD1, Mohammed Dagher, MSc2, Tobias Heidler, MPH1, Marc Pignot, PhD2, Alexander K. Schuster, PhD3, Kun Shi-van Wielink, BSc, MSc, PhD4.
1WIG2 – Scientific Institute for Health Economics and Health System Research, Leipzig, Germany, 2ZEG Berlin – Center for Epidemiology and Health Research, Berlin, Germany, 3University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany, 4Santen, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
1WIG2 – Scientific Institute for Health Economics and Health System Research, Leipzig, Germany, 2ZEG Berlin – Center for Epidemiology and Health Research, Berlin, Germany, 3University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany, 4Santen, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
OBJECTIVES: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common glaucoma subtype, is a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, with increasing burden in aging populations. Despite existing German claims-based analyses, independently replicated contemporary data with comorbidity profiling remain scarce. This study quantifies POAG prevalence, incidence, and comorbidity burden in Germany (2018-2024).
METHODS: This retrospective observational study used a longitudinal German SHI claims database─WIG2 (~4.5 million insured). POAG patients (≥18 years) were identified using ICD-10-GM H40.1 (≥2 confirmed outpatient diagnoses in separate quarters or ≥1 inpatient diagnosis) and ≥3 years of continuous prior enrollment. Patients with eye malignancies in the respective year were excluded. Annual and age-sex-standardized prevalence and cumulative incidence were estimated and extrapolated to the German SHI population. Incident cases required POAG-free status for the preceding 3 years. Comorbidity burden was assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).
RESULTS: POAG ranged between 40,079 and 41,355 patients annually, extrapolating to ~1.0-1.1 million prevalent cases in the German SHI population (61.3-62.4 million insured). Age-sex-standardized prevalence was stable at 1.64-1.72% throughout the study period in the adult population. Annual cumulative incidence declined during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020: 0.177% vs. 0.190% in 2018), rebounded above pre-pandemic levels in 2022 (0.214%), before gradual normalization (2024: 0.192%). Prevalent POAG patients were predominantly elderly (mean age ~71 years; 46% female; CCI ~2.1); mean age at incident diagnosis was ~69 years. The most frequent comorbidities were chronic pulmonary disease (~21%), diabetes with chronic complications (~18%), congestive heart failure (~16%), and peripheral vascular disease (~15%).
CONCLUSIONS: This German SHI claims analysis demonstrates stable POAG prevalence (~1.6-1.7%) and a transient pandemic-associated disruption in observed incidence. Frequent cardiovascular and pulmonary comorbidities highlight the need for tailored treatment selection. These findings provide real-world epidemiological evidence to support clinical decision-making and healthcare planning in Germany.
METHODS: This retrospective observational study used a longitudinal German SHI claims database─WIG2 (~4.5 million insured). POAG patients (≥18 years) were identified using ICD-10-GM H40.1 (≥2 confirmed outpatient diagnoses in separate quarters or ≥1 inpatient diagnosis) and ≥3 years of continuous prior enrollment. Patients with eye malignancies in the respective year were excluded. Annual and age-sex-standardized prevalence and cumulative incidence were estimated and extrapolated to the German SHI population. Incident cases required POAG-free status for the preceding 3 years. Comorbidity burden was assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).
RESULTS: POAG ranged between 40,079 and 41,355 patients annually, extrapolating to ~1.0-1.1 million prevalent cases in the German SHI population (61.3-62.4 million insured). Age-sex-standardized prevalence was stable at 1.64-1.72% throughout the study period in the adult population. Annual cumulative incidence declined during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020: 0.177% vs. 0.190% in 2018), rebounded above pre-pandemic levels in 2022 (0.214%), before gradual normalization (2024: 0.192%). Prevalent POAG patients were predominantly elderly (mean age ~71 years; 46% female; CCI ~2.1); mean age at incident diagnosis was ~69 years. The most frequent comorbidities were chronic pulmonary disease (~21%), diabetes with chronic complications (~18%), congestive heart failure (~16%), and peripheral vascular disease (~15%).
CONCLUSIONS: This German SHI claims analysis demonstrates stable POAG prevalence (~1.6-1.7%) and a transient pandemic-associated disruption in observed incidence. Frequent cardiovascular and pulmonary comorbidities highlight the need for tailored treatment selection. These findings provide real-world epidemiological evidence to support clinical decision-making and healthcare planning in Germany.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EPH254
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Epidemiology & Public Health, Real World Data & Information Systems
Disease
Cardiovascular Disorders (including MI, Stroke, Circulatory), Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity), Geriatrics, Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory), Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin)