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Purpose <p>To leverage a novel Data Integration Centre (DIC) infrastructure and real-world data to analyze pandemic-driven changes in the incidence, demographics, and management of corneal ulceration (H16.0) in a tertiary care setting.</p> Methods <p>We conducted a retrospective single-center analysis of 3029 cases (2016–2024), stratified into pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. Data were sourced via the institutional DIC. We employed descriptive statistics and regression models to evaluate temporal trends, age/sex distributions, length of stay (LOS), and surgical interventions.</p> Results <p>A significant structural shift from inpatient to outpatient care was observed, with outpatient cases rising by 70% during the pandemic while inpatient numbers declined. A notable demographic shift occurred, with a higher proportion of younger male patients (aged 30–40) affected during and after the pandemic. Mean LOS decreased progressively from 6.27 (pre-pandemic) to 4.13 days (post-pandemic). Despite an overall decline in surgical procedures, the rate of keratoplasties per 1000 patients increased significantly in the post-pandemic phase.</p> Conclusion <p>The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a marked restructuring of care for corneal ulcers towards outpatient management and was associated with a distinct demographic shift. The increase in keratoplasty rates for the diagnosis of corneal ulcer after the pandemic could be due to a significantly changed local care structure during the pandemic and the prioritization of follow-up treatment for more difficult cases. This study demonstrates the practical utility of DIC-derived real-world data for health services research, providing robust evidence on evolving care patterns and disease burden.</p> Clinical trial registration number <p>The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Saxony Medical Association under reference number EK-BR-102/23-1 in accordance with the ICH-GCP-Guidelines.</p>

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New healthcare insights in ophthalmology: using a data integration center (DIC) to analyze the care of patients with corneal ulceration during the COVID-19 pandemic

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月19日

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  • Gabriel Stolze,
  • Katrin Engelmann,
  • Martin Bartos,
  • Frank Nüßler,
  • Martin Sedlmayr,
  • Jens Weidner

摘要

Purpose

To leverage a novel Data Integration Centre (DIC) infrastructure and real-world data to analyze pandemic-driven changes in the incidence, demographics, and management of corneal ulceration (H16.0) in a tertiary care setting.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective single-center analysis of 3029 cases (2016–2024), stratified into pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. Data were sourced via the institutional DIC. We employed descriptive statistics and regression models to evaluate temporal trends, age/sex distributions, length of stay (LOS), and surgical interventions.

Results

A significant structural shift from inpatient to outpatient care was observed, with outpatient cases rising by 70% during the pandemic while inpatient numbers declined. A notable demographic shift occurred, with a higher proportion of younger male patients (aged 30–40) affected during and after the pandemic. Mean LOS decreased progressively from 6.27 (pre-pandemic) to 4.13 days (post-pandemic). Despite an overall decline in surgical procedures, the rate of keratoplasties per 1000 patients increased significantly in the post-pandemic phase.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a marked restructuring of care for corneal ulcers towards outpatient management and was associated with a distinct demographic shift. The increase in keratoplasty rates for the diagnosis of corneal ulcer after the pandemic could be due to a significantly changed local care structure during the pandemic and the prioritization of follow-up treatment for more difficult cases. This study demonstrates the practical utility of DIC-derived real-world data for health services research, providing robust evidence on evolving care patterns and disease burden.

Clinical trial registration number

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Saxony Medical Association under reference number EK-BR-102/23-1 in accordance with the ICH-GCP-Guidelines.