Results of a diabetic retinopathy screening. Risk markers analysis

Abstract

Objective: To identify risk markers for retinopathy in patients from our geographic area, and to compare them with those published in other studies. To design a screening interval strategy, taking into account these results, and compare it with intervals suggested in published studies.

Material and methods: Cross-sectional observational study on 383 diabetic patients with no previous retinopathy diagnosis, who were screened for diabetic retinopathy. An analysis was made on the possible association between patient factors and presence of retinopathy.

Results: A greater probability for finding retinopathy in diabetic patients was associated to insulin treatment in our study, with a statistical significance level of 95%. In patients with less than 10year onset of their diabetes, only mild retinopathy without macular oedema was found.

Conclusions: Insulin treatment and time of onset of diabetes should be taken into account when designing efficient screening strategies for diabetic retinopathy.

Keywords: Cribado retinopatía diabética; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic macular oedema prevalence; Diabetic retinopathy; Diabetic retinopathy prevalence; Diabetic retinopathy screening; Marcadores de riesgo; Prevalencia edema macular diabético; Prevalencia retinopatía diabética; Retinopatía diabética; Risk markers.