Prevalence of Keratoconus in a Population-Based Study in Syria

Aim. To determine the prevalence and associations of keratoconus (KC) in a university student population in Syria. Methods. A prospective multicentre cross-sectional cohort study was conducted at two universities in Syria. Student volunteers were recruited from Tishreen University (Latakia governora...

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Main Authors: Abdelrahman Salman, Taym Darwish, Marwan Ghabra, Obeda Kailani, Yusra Haddeh, Mohammad Askar, Ammar Ali, Ali Ali, Sara Alhassan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-01-01
Series:Journal of Ophthalmology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/6064533
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author Abdelrahman Salman
Taym Darwish
Marwan Ghabra
Obeda Kailani
Yusra Haddeh
Mohammad Askar
Ammar Ali
Ali Ali
Sara Alhassan
author_facet Abdelrahman Salman
Taym Darwish
Marwan Ghabra
Obeda Kailani
Yusra Haddeh
Mohammad Askar
Ammar Ali
Ali Ali
Sara Alhassan
author_sort Abdelrahman Salman
collection DOAJ
description Aim. To determine the prevalence and associations of keratoconus (KC) in a university student population in Syria. Methods. A prospective multicentre cross-sectional cohort study was conducted at two universities in Syria. Student volunteers were recruited from Tishreen University (Latakia governorate) and Damascus University (Damascus governorate). All participants underwent a comprehensive ocular examination. Placido/Scheimpflug-based corneal imaging using the Sirius (CSO, Florence. Italy), and a questionnaire to evaluate the baseline characteristics and medical history, as well as to highlight possible risk factors of KC. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed. Results. The estimated prevalence of KC among all subjects was 1.43% (n = 12). A strong association between eye rubbing and keratoconus was found (OR 9.33, 95% CI 2.94–29.63, P<0.001). Damascus University participants had a higher prevalence of KC than Tishreen University. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion. The prevalence of keratoconus in this Syrian student population was 1.43%. The results of this study demonstrate a high prevalence of keratoconus in the study population. Early detection of keratoconus through screening may yield benefits in preventing devastating sequelae of KC in populations with a high prevalence.
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spelling doaj-art-eb4fa504641b4f8a85f64ce2070085682025-08-20T02:22:20ZengWileyJournal of Ophthalmology2090-00582022-01-01202210.1155/2022/6064533Prevalence of Keratoconus in a Population-Based Study in SyriaAbdelrahman Salman0Taym Darwish1Marwan Ghabra2Obeda Kailani3Yusra Haddeh4Mohammad Askar5Ammar Ali6Ali Ali7Sara Alhassan8Department of OphthalmologyDepartment of OphthalmologyWhipps Cross University HospitalDepartment of OphthalmologyDepartment of OphthalmologyDepartment of OphthalmologyDepartment of OphthalmologyDepartment of OphthalmologyFaculty of Health SciencesAim. To determine the prevalence and associations of keratoconus (KC) in a university student population in Syria. Methods. A prospective multicentre cross-sectional cohort study was conducted at two universities in Syria. Student volunteers were recruited from Tishreen University (Latakia governorate) and Damascus University (Damascus governorate). All participants underwent a comprehensive ocular examination. Placido/Scheimpflug-based corneal imaging using the Sirius (CSO, Florence. Italy), and a questionnaire to evaluate the baseline characteristics and medical history, as well as to highlight possible risk factors of KC. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed. Results. The estimated prevalence of KC among all subjects was 1.43% (n = 12). A strong association between eye rubbing and keratoconus was found (OR 9.33, 95% CI 2.94–29.63, P<0.001). Damascus University participants had a higher prevalence of KC than Tishreen University. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion. The prevalence of keratoconus in this Syrian student population was 1.43%. The results of this study demonstrate a high prevalence of keratoconus in the study population. Early detection of keratoconus through screening may yield benefits in preventing devastating sequelae of KC in populations with a high prevalence.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/6064533
spellingShingle Abdelrahman Salman
Taym Darwish
Marwan Ghabra
Obeda Kailani
Yusra Haddeh
Mohammad Askar
Ammar Ali
Ali Ali
Sara Alhassan
Prevalence of Keratoconus in a Population-Based Study in Syria
Journal of Ophthalmology
title Prevalence of Keratoconus in a Population-Based Study in Syria
title_full Prevalence of Keratoconus in a Population-Based Study in Syria
title_fullStr Prevalence of Keratoconus in a Population-Based Study in Syria
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of Keratoconus in a Population-Based Study in Syria
title_short Prevalence of Keratoconus in a Population-Based Study in Syria
title_sort prevalence of keratoconus in a population based study in syria
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/6064533
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