| Purpose:To describe the prevalence, severity and associated risk factors for pterygium in a population based sample of rural residents of Bai minority population who were aged 50 years and older in Dali city of Yunnan province, China.Methods:This study was conducted in Dali city of Yunnan province, in southern of China, a region located about 25 degrees north of the equator, with a high altitude climate and strong wind. A population-based survey was conducted from December 2009 to January 2010. A cross-sectional, clustered, randomized sampling procedure was used to select 2133 Bai minority people, from 10 villages, aged above 50 years old for this study. A standard questionnaire and eye examination were completed for every participated. Pterygium was diagnosed and graded for severity from grade 0 to grade 4 by the location of the pterygium head. Used the SPSS to found out the pterygium prevalence in Bai minority people. Risks factors associated with pterygium prevalence were evaluated with logistic regression models.Results:There are 2742 subject identified in 10 villages, total of 2133 participants (77.78%) were examined, they ranged in age from 50 to 92 years, with a mean age of 64.5±8.8 years old. There were 769 men and 1364 women in this study.832 people were diagnosed of pterygium, equivalent to an overall prevalence of 39.0%(95% confidence interval [CI],37.0 to 41.0). There were 249 male and 583 female with pterygium. The prevalence in male gender is 11.7%(95%CI,10.4 to 13.0) and 27.3% (95%CI,25.4 to 29.2) in female gender. Both male and female, the prevalence of pterygium was highest in Grade 2. The prevalence in Grade 2 was 23.2%(95%CI, 21.4 to 25.0). The overall prevalence rate was significantly higher in female subjects of all age groups. The prevalence of pterygium in either eye was 24.2%(95% CI,22.4 to 26.0). There were 316 subjects for bilateral pterygium.14.8%(95% CI 13.3 to 16.3) for bilateral. The 685 subjects'right eye was diagnosed of pterygium,26.6%(95%CI, 27.7 to 31.5). For left eye, there were 632 subjects. The prevalence of left eye was 32.1%(95%CI,30.2 to 34.2).The pterygium was associated with age and gender (p< 0.01).We also found that outdoor occupation was an independent predictor of pterygium(p< 0.01).Conclusions:There is high prevalence of pterygium among the study subjects of Bai minority population, with the rates increasing rapidly with age. Female participants have high prevalence than male, and the risk of developing this condition increases with outdoor occupation. Smoking and drinking were not the risk factors in our study of this area. Form our study, we should be made to educate outdoor workers to wear sunglasses and brimmed hats to avoid of unnecessary sunlight exposure and strong wind irritate. |
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