Frequency and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes presenting at a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

To evaluate frequency and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. This prospective observational study was conducted from January 2017 to June 2017 at the outpatient department of Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE) and Baqai Medical University a tertiary care diabetes hospital of Karachi, Pakistan. Convenience sampling was done. Demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical data were collected, and ophthalmic screening was performed by funduscopy at a slit lamp biomicroscopy with the help 90 D fundus lens. Grading of diabetic retinopathy was done according to the modified Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale (ETDRS) criteria. Retinopathy was present in 17.5% of patients. Non-sight-threatening retinopathy was found in 15.2% and sight-threatening retinopathy was found in 17.6%. In table 4, logistic regression analysis determined the relationship between retinopathy and its possible risk factors. In univariate logistic regression model, Age, poor glycemic control and longer duration of diabetes were found to be significant risk factors for developing retinopathy. In multivariate logistic regression model, duration of diabetes remained significantly associated with the development of retinopathy. Additionally, gender was not significantly associated in univariate analysis but it became significant after adjustment in multivariate model. An early screening program reduces the risk of incidence of diabetic retinopathy. Hence, screening of retinopathy should be done once in a year.