Abstract
BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus on eye and it is the leading cause of visual impairment among productive segment of the population. Globally, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is reported to be 27%. In Ethiopia, sufficient data is lacking on the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy as well as information on its predisposing factors. The study was required to assess the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its predisposing factors in diabetic patients attending at a General Hospital in Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution based cross sectional study was employed on 331 diabetic patients recruited with a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through structured questionnaire, tracing patients’ medical folder and ocular health examination. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Science Version 20. Logistic regression methods of analysis were used to figure out predisposing factors of diabetic retinopathy. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to determine the strength of association.ResultA total of 331 diabetic patients completed the study with a response rate of 99.10%. The median duration of diabetes was 5 years. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 34.1% (95%Confidence Interval (CI): 28.7%-39.3%). Low family monthly income (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 7.43, 95% CI: 2.44–22.57), longer duration of diabetes (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.30–1.58), poor glycemic control (AOR = 4.76, 95%CI: 2.26–10.00), and being on insulin treatment alone (AOR = 3.85, 95%CI: 1.16–12.74) were independently associated with diabetic retinopathy.Conclusion and recommendationThe prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 34.1%, higher than national and global figures. Low family monthly income, longer duration of diabetes, poor glucose control and being on insulin treatment alone were important risk factors of diabetic retinopathy. Proper diabetes self management and early screening of diabetic retinopathy in all diabetic patients were recommended.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of chronic metabolic conditions, all of which are characterized by elevated blood glucose levels resulting from the body’s inability to produce insulin or resistance to insulin action or both [1]
The study was required to assess the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its predisposing factors in diabetic patients attending at a General Hospital in Ethiopia
Low family monthly income (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 7.43, 95% Confidence Index (CI): 2.44–22.57), longer duration of diabetes (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.30–1.58), poor glycemic control (AOR = 4.76, 95%CI: 2.26–10.00), and being on insulin treatment alone (AOR = 3.85, 95%CI: 1.16–12.74) were independently associated with diabetic retinopathy
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of chronic metabolic conditions, all of which are characterized by elevated blood glucose levels resulting from the body’s inability to produce insulin or resistance to insulin action or both [1]. There are around 451 million diabetic patients [2] and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Ethiopia is 6.5%. High glucose level in the blood causes generalized vascular damage resulting in various macro and micro vascular complications. Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a long term microvascular complication of diabetes on the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus on eye and it is the leading cause of visual impairment among productive segment of the population. In Ethiopia, sufficient data is lacking on the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy as well as information on its predisposing factors.
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