: A pilot study
Translated title
Characteristics of patients with retinal artery occlusion initiated with antithrombotic treatment: A pilot study
Authors
Balachandran, Danishan ; Sørensen, Thomas Fuglsang
Term
5. Term (Master thesis)
Education
Publication year
2022
Pages
13
Abstract
Retinal arterieokklusion (RAO) er en pludselig blokering af blodtilførslen til nethinden og omtales ofte som et 'slagtilfælde i øjet'. Nogle patienter får forebyggende antitrombotisk behandling (blodfortyndende), mens andre ikke gør. Dette studie undersøgte forskelle mellem patienter, der blev sat i forebyggende antitrombotisk behandling, og patienter, der ikke gjorde. Metode: Vi gennemgik journaler for at finde alle patienter med RAO i Region Nordjylland fra 1. januar 2017 til 30. november 2020 ved hjælp af diagnosesystemer (ICD) og bekræftede diagnoserne. Patienterne blev inddelt efter antitrombotisk status: allerede i behandling før RAO, startet efter RAO, eller ingen behandling. Vi sammenlignede grundlæggende karakteristika samt hvor hurtigt de søgte hjælp og kom i behandling. Vi noterede også diagnostisk opfølgning, herunder ultralydsskanning af halspulsårerne. Resultater: Blandt 98 patienter blev 46 sat i antitrombotisk behandling efter RAO, 45 var allerede i sådan behandling før RAO, og 7 modtog slet ingen antitrombotisk behandling. De fleste nybehandlede fik acetylsalicylsyre (aspirin) (44). Nogle fik efterfølgende clopidogrel (17) som enkel behandling eller i kombination med aspirin. Hyppige samtidige sygdomme var forhøjet blodtryk (82,7 %), forhøjet blodfedt (hyperlipidæmi, 69,4 %) og sygdom i halspulsårerne (27,6 %). De fleste (83,7 %) fik ultralyd af halspulsårerne. Patienter uden antitrombotisk behandling kontaktede typisk sundhedsvæsenet senere efter symptomdebut og havde oftere ingen diagnostisk opfølgning. Konklusion: I denne regionale opgørelse modtog de fleste med RAO antitrombotisk behandling, typisk aspirin; nogle fik ændret til eller suppleret med clopidogrel, især ved påvist sygdom i halspulsårerne. Patienter uden antitrombotisk behandling søgte senere hjælp og fik sjældnere opfølgning.
Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is a sudden blockage of blood flow to the retina, often described as a 'stroke in the eye'. Some patients are started on preventive antithrombotic medicines (blood-thinners) and others are not. This study examined differences between patients who were started on preventive antithrombotic treatment and those who were not. Methods: We reviewed medical records to identify all people with RAO in the North Denmark Region from 1 January 2017 to 30 November 2020 using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and then confirmed the diagnoses. Patients were grouped by antithrombotic status: already on treatment before RAO, started after RAO, or no treatment. We compared basic characteristics, how quickly they sought care and started treatment, and whether they received diagnostic follow-up, including ultrasound scans of the carotid (neck) arteries. Results: Among 98 patients, 46 were started on antithrombotic treatment after RAO, 45 were already on such treatment before RAO, and 7 received no antithrombotic treatment. Most newly treated patients were given aspirin (44). Some later received clopidogrel (17) as single therapy or combined with aspirin. Common coexisting conditions included high blood pressure (82.7%), high blood lipids (hyperlipidaemia, 69.4%), and disease of the carotid arteries (27.6%). Most patients (83.7%) received an ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries. Patients who received no antithrombotic treatment tended to contact healthcare later after symptom onset and were more likely to have no diagnostic follow-up. Conclusion: In this regional sample, most people with RAO received antithrombotic therapy, typically aspirin, with some switching to or adding clopidogrel, particularly when carotid artery disease was present. Those who did not receive antithrombotic therapy sought care later and were less likely to have follow-up.
[This summary has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords
Documents