The prevalence of and major risk factors associated with diabetic retinopathy in Gegharkunik province of Armenia: cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults in industrialized countries and the emerging cause of blindness in developing countries. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of DR and risk factors associated with it among diabetic patients.MethodsThe analytical cross-sectional survey and eye screenings were carried out among 625 diabetic patients from urban and rural areas of Gegharkunik region. DR was assessed by dilated ophthalmoscopy and defined based on the WHO International Classification of Diseases. The survey instrument, included questions about demographics, disease history, health status, medication use and healthy lifestyle. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe prevalence of DR in the sample was 36.2%. A total of 90.2% of patients with DR had non-proliferative, while 9.8% had proliferative DR. In bivariate analysis, age, diabetes duration, being under insulin treatment, blood glucose level, having non-communicable diseases were significantly associated with DR. In the adjusted analysis being under insulin treatment (OR = 3.24; 95% CI: 1.56–6.75), diabetes duration (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.16–1.31) and age (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02–1.08) were independently associated with DR.ConclusionEarlier diagnosis of diabetes and DR can help to control some of these factors and prevent further complications and vision loss. Population-based educational programs on diabetes and diabetic retinopathy and continuous medical education on diabetes management can improve diabetes care and self-management and prevent eye complications.

Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy and Associated Factors among Type 2 Diabetes Patients at Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Ethiopia

“…This study identified that diabetic retinopathy was 51.3% prevalent among the enrolled type 2 diabetes patients. This finding is higher than the prevalence previously reported from Arbaminch [29] and Jimma [28] in Ethiopia and from other parts of the world [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. However, our finding is lower than the one reported from Bahol in Iran [25].…”

“…Similar with previous research findings reported from other settings [18,[20][21][22], our study revealed that the risk to have diabetic retinopathy among type 2 diabetes increases with the duration of the disease, higher HbA1c (>7%), and presence comorbid hypertension. Therefore, early diagnoses of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, and continuous diabetes selfmanagement education can improve the control of these risk factors.…”

“…Nevertheless, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes greatly varies from country to country. For instance, the reported prevalence was 28.5% in the United States [18], 9.6% in India [19], 36.2% in Armenia [20], 8.1% in Beijing, China [21], 14.9% in Spain [22], 28.3% in the United Kingdom [23], 23.2% in Japan [24], and 64.1% in Iran [25]. A systematic review reported that the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in population-based studies range from 30.2 to 31.6% and the prevalence in clinic-based studies range from 7.0 to 62.4% in Africa [26].…”

“…Studies have indicated that longer diabetes duration [16][17][18][20][21][22], higher hemoglobin A 1 c [16][17][18][19]22], higher blood pressure [16][17][18]21,22], and higher fasting blood glucose [19,21] were associated with presence of diabetic retinopathy. Studies have also shown that higher prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was associated with increasing age [19,20,22,23], being under insulin treatment [18,20,22], body mass index and creatinine clearance rate [21], higher blood monocyte count [19], estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m 3 [22], and male gender compared with female [18,23]. Furthermore, some studies have reported that lower serum cholesterol [16], black race compared to white [18], and lower socioeconomic status [24] were associated with increased risk of diabetic retinopathy.…”

<p>Does a diabetic retinopathy educational program raise awareness among elderly diabetic patients?</p>

“…The study indicates that 48% of study group had family history of DM. This matched Giloyan A et alșs work 24 which reported that more than half of their sample had family history of DM.…”