Prevalence and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy in diabetic patients

Abstract In China, there is a significant lack of awareness of diabetes and its complications. Screening of diabetic retinopathy has important for early detection, prevention, and treatment. This large, cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the demographic, physical, serological, and ocular characteristics of subjects with diabetes mellitus in Shijiazhuang, China. It also aimed to associate these characteristics with the presence of diabetic retinopathy. From May 2, 2018 to August 25, 2019, under diabetes care program, the diabetic patients (n = 1008) were subjected to standardized questionnaires to collect demographical characteristics. Also, telescreens and laboratory tests were performed for the enrolled patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with diabetic retinopathy. Forty percent of diabetics in its population had some form of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathic patients were likely to be elder ( P = .0003), men ( P = .018), hypertensive ( P < .0001), and had high body mass index ( P < .0001), metabolic abnormalities, and longer duration of diabetes ( P < .0001). Higher intraocular pressure ( P = .0008), fasting blood glucose ( P < .0001), serum total cholesterol ( P < .0001), serum triglyceride ( P = .0006), % glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ( P < .0001), and disc asymmetry including cup–disc ratio ( P = .041) reported in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Age ( P = .049), male sex ( P = .048), hypertension ( P = .048), duration of diabetes ( P = .012), diabetic neuropathy ( P = .048), diabetic nephropathy ( P = .048), diabetic foot ulcer ( P = .041), foot amputation ( P = .042), fasting blood glucose ( P = .022), serum total cholesterol ( P = .028), serum triglyceride ( P = .035), and HbA1c ( P = .042) were associated with diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy was the most common ocular fundus disease in diabetic patients. Also, aging, the other comorbidities, and metabolic syndrome are associated with diabetic retinopathy. Level of Evidence: III.