Abstract
To investigate the knowledge and practices regarding diabetic retinopathy (DR) among diabetic patients included in a community-based primary health system (CBPHS) in China. Diabetic patients aged 18 years and above registered in the CBPHS in Yueqing city, Zhejiang province were recruited. Information obtained by questionnaire included: demographic and socioeconomic status, knowledge about DR, and ocular and medical history. The primary outcome was whether the participant knew that DM can affect the eyes, defined according to the question: "Do you know diabetes mellitus (DM) can affect eyes? (yes or no)". A knowledge score was calculated based on the responses to seven questions, with 1 point awarded for a correct response and 0 points for an incorrect or uncertain answer. A total of 1972 diabetic patients were included in the study with an average age of 65.2±10.8 years, 45.7% were male. One thousand two hundred and nineteen patients (61.8%) knew that DM can affect the eyes. Significant differences in age, education, income status, insurance covering eye care, fasting blood glucose, duration of DM, history of hypertension existed between subjects who knew and those who did not know that DM can affect the eyes (P<0.05 for all). The proportion of correct answers to the DR knowledge questions ranged from 33.3% to 61.8%, with an average score of 3.65±2.47. In the multiple regression analysis, the knowledge score was significantly associated with age, education, income, history of hypertension, duration of DM, being told that regular examinations should be performed and concern about vision loss (P <0.01 for all). The knowledge toward DR among DM patients were still low within the chronic disease management system in eastern China. Routine ophthalmic screening, health care promotions, and educational programs should be emphasized and implemented for better DR prevention and management.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health problem worldwide, and its prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate with population growth and aging [1]
A total of 1972 diabetic patients were included in the study with an average age of 65.2±10.8 years, 45.7% were male
The knowledge toward Diabetic retinopathy (DR) among DM patients were still low within the chronic disease management system in eastern China
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health problem worldwide, and its prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate with population growth and aging [1]. Previous studies have found that nearly half of the DR patients in China have never received any ocular examination [8]. Detection and intervention of DR had been showed to be critical to prevent irreversible blindness and improve the patient’s quality of life [9]. We used an in-depth interview method to explore the influencing factors on the compliance of timely visits among patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and found that more than 90% of the patients were lacking knowledge about DR [12]. A recent Cochrane review showed that interventions to increase awareness about DR are vital in improving attendance for DR screening, and a potentially important solution for reducing blindness caused by DR [13]. Patient awareness and knowledge about DR will be the key to successful disease management and prevention
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