Prevalence and risk factors of epiretinal membrane: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII (2017-2018)

Abstract

Background: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of epiretinal membrane (ERM) utilising spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Methods: We investigated data from the 2017 to 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Individuals aged ≥40 years with readable fundus photographs and SD-OCT results were included. ERM was diagnosed by fundus photography and OCT. The following data was collected: demographics, health interview, health examination, and nutritional survey results. The prevalence of ERM was estimated and risk factors for ERM were analysed.

Results: A total of 6807 participants were finally included. Adjusted prevalence of ERM was 7.0% (95% confidence interval, 6.3%-7.8%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age ≥ 50 years (p < 0.001 for all age groups), history of cataract surgery (p < 0.001), well-controlled hypertension (p = 0.006), and diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.041) were risk factors for ERM.

Conclusions: The estimated prevalence of ERM was 7.0%, which was higher than that of previous reports using fundus photography only in an East Asian population. Possible risk factors for ERM were older age, history of cataract surgery, hypertension, and diabetic retinopathy.