How Aware Diabetic Retinopathy Patients about Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this survey was to evaluate how aware diabetic patients about some facts of their chronic disease. Methods: A questionnaire was given to 169 diabetic (Type 2) patients presenting to the retina clinic in King Hussein Medical Center over a period of three months (1st of April 2012 till 1st of July 2012). The questions were read and answered by the patient or read for him by accompanying person or nurse. General information was collected: age, residence, type and duration of treatment. Questions were asked about how they joined the retina clinic, frequency of visits to endocrinologist and ophthalmologist, mode and satisfaction with management and how they check and control their blood sugar level. Results: This study included 169 patients, 58.6% were females and 41.4% were males, with the mean age of 61.9 years. The mean duration of diabetes was 15.9 years and 75% were using insulin. Mean of follow up period was 3.3 years. Ischemic heart disease was found in 21.3% of the patients, 35% were hypertensive, 13.6% were smokers, 11.2% suffer from diabetic foot and 9.5% had renal impairment. Thirty-nine percent were sent to ophthalmologist by the internist, 28% by a general practitioner, 32% advised by non-medical others, and 37% visited the clinic because of ocular/visual complaint. The main factor blamed for diabetic retinal changes was the duration of diabetes. More than half of the patients believed that no other diseases affect the diabetic retinal changes. Less than a quarter of the patients could mention at least one extraocular organ affected by diabetes mellitus. Eighty percent of the patients were compliant to their clinic appointments. More than half depended on symptoms rather than blood test to judge their diabetes mellitus control. Forty-six percent thought they have a controlled diabetes mellitus, 54% of them were satisfied with the laser treatment they received, while only 31% of the uncontrolled diabetes mellitus group were happy with the laser. Only 29% gave an acceptable range of fasting blood sugar when asked about the normal level, while 55.6% did not know about HbA1c. Eating habits were blamed by 55.6% for disturbed blood sugar level, but 28.3% could not find a reason for it. Conclusion: A large proportion of patients were not well educated about their disease. This mandates a national campaign to enlighten diabetics as well as non-diabetics about this prevalent disease, since educating diabetic patients about their chronic disease is mandatory to decrease the severity of complications, postpone or even prevent them.