Complicated Diabetic Retinopathy Among Egyptian Patients
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- Category: Vol. 77, June 2009
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Complicated Diabetic Retinopathy Among Egyptian Patients,KHALED ABUELEINEN, HANY EL DEFRAWY, HANY EL-MEKAWEY, YASSER S. SAIF, MAHMOUD GAMAL and SALAH MAKHLOF
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate social, demographic, educational and economic factors behind the delay in diagnosis and treatment of diabetic eye disease among Egyptian patients who present with complicated diabetic retinopathy.
Methods: A descriptive study of diabetic patients attending the outpatient clinics of university teaching hospital, national health insurance and referral centers in Cairo, Beni-Suef and Fayoum. A questionnaire to assess the impact of the several Socio-demographic factors in conjunction with clinical exam-ination was administered.
Results: 397 were assessed using the questionnaire and clinical examination. A descriptive analysis of the data showed that Diabetic peripheral neuropathy was the most common associated systemic disorder and recorded in 350 (88.2%) patient. Diabetic vitreous hemorrhage was the most common ocular complication and was found in 359 patients (90.4%). 158 (39.8%) patient knew that Diabetes mellitus can be sight threatening while 240 (60.2%) were not aware until they developed sight threatening complication. 179 patient (45.1%) had early retirement because of visual loss related to Diabetes Mellitus. Multivariate logistic regression have shown the following variables (education, internist, contact with other patients and media) were respectively significant in predicting the awareness of patient about the sight threatening effect of Diabetic retinopathy.
Conclusion: Patient education regarding diabetes and diabetic eye disease is essential for early detection and com-pliance with treatment. Illiteracy has significant impact on development of sight threatening diabetic complications. The internist is the first line of prophylaxis. Media has to participate more in patient education and promote awareness. Implemen-tation of evidence base practices may be necessary to improv-ing the standard of care for Diabetic patients.