Population screening for primary open-angle glaucoma
Cote B, Rodriguez N
Record ID 32007000622
French
Authors' objectives:
In 1995 the predecessor of AETMIS published a report assessing the advisability of population screening for POAG. The CETS report concluded that the uncertainty surrounding the estimated benefits of screening and its high cost did not support recommending the introduction of a systematic screening program for POAG in Quebec. In recent years, the emergence of new diagnostic techniques for detecting this disease has again raised the issue of the advisability of implementing a population screening program. In this context, the Agency considered it appropriate to produce an update on this issue.
Based on the public health criteria to justify introducing a population screening program, this report begins by documenting the natural history and prevalence of the disease. It then analyzes studies on the efficacy of available treatments and diagnostic tests, presents scientific evidence on screening efficacy and information about the situation in Quebec, and finally addresses the advisability of population screening.
Authors' recommendations:
AETMIS concludes that, for the time being, it is not justified to recommend introducing a population screening program for glaucoma in Quebec. From a broader public health perspective of reducing preventable blindness and of continually improving access to ophthalmology care and services, AETMIS finds that: .. opportunistic screening activities are already in place, lead to referrals to ophthalmologists and absorb specialized resources
.. the extent, effectiveness and costs of opportunistic screening activities are not known
.. some patients are at greater risk of a rapidly progressive form of glaucoma, but these risk factors are not fully known
.. case-finding scenarios (opportunistic screening) targeting at-risk individuals and combining several diagnostic tests achieve a good performance for these groups.
Authors' methods:
Review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
2007
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
Contact
Organisation Name:
Agence d'évaluation des technologies et des modes d'intervention en santé
Contact Address:
2021, avenue Union, Bureau 10.083,Montreal, Quebec H3A S29, Canada.Tel: +1 514 873 2563; Fax: +1 514 873 1369
Contact Name:
demande@inesss.qc.ca
Contact Email:
demande@inesss.qc.ca
Copyright:
Agence d'Evaluation des Technologies et des Modes d'Intervention en Sante (AETMIS)