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. 2023 Sep;55(9):102682.
doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2023.102682. Epub 2023 Jun 12.

[Teleophthalmology-based diabetic retinopathy screening in a rural health basic area]

[Article in Spanish]
Yolanda Valpuesta Martín  1 , María Isabel López Gálvez  2 , Belén Jaramillo López-Herce  3 , Arianna Del Carmen Salcedo Hernández  3 , Mariana Gabriela Roldán Contreras  4
Affiliations

[Teleophthalmology-based diabetic retinopathy screening in a rural health basic area]

[Article in Spanish]
Yolanda Valpuesta Martín et al. Aten Primaria. 2023 Sep.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in a rural health basic area, and to establish the type, the severity degree and the relationship with sex and with another cardiovascular risk factors.

Design: Cross-sectional or prevalence descriptive study.

Location: Rural health basic area in Spain. Primary health care level.

Participants: 500 patients over 18 years old with diabetes.

Main measurements: Study of the retina through retinography under mydriasis, according to the Joslin Vision Network protocol, with the incorporation of a diagnostic reading center. Correlation of the existence and severity of the retinopathy with the cardiovascular risk factors -smoking, hypertension and hyperlipidemia- and the characteristics of the diabetes -type, evolution time, treatment, metabolic control and renal function-.

Results: The findings showed a 16.4% prevalence, with no significant differences between both sexes. The variables smoking and high blood pressure were related to the existence of retinopathy, and the variable years of diabetes evolution was correlated to both the existence and the severity of the retinopathy. In the study, 9.6% of the affected people were preferentially referred to the ophthalmologists because of sight-threatening retinopathy, and 6.8% of the people studied were referred due to other ophthalmological pathologies.

Conclusions: It is possible to do the ophthalmological follow-up of 82% of the population with diabetes in primary health care, involving its professionals and team-working with the ophthalmologists. It is paramount to consider diabetic retinopathy within the global context of the person with diabetes, relating diabetic retinopathy with the other microvascular complications and cardiovascular diseases.

Objetivo: Conocer la prevalencia de retinopatía diabética en una zona básica de salud rural, clasificándola según tipo y grado de severidad y conocer su relación con la presencia de otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular y con el sexo.

Diseño: Estudio descriptivo transversal o de prevalencia.

Emplazamiento: Zona básica de salud rural en España. Nivel de atención primaria.

Participantes: Quinientos pacientes diabéticos mayores de 18 años.

Mediciones principales: Estudio de la retina mediante retinografía bajo midriasis, según protocolo de la Joslin Vision Network, incorporando un centro de lectura para diagnóstico. Correlación de la existencia y gravedad de la retinopatía con los factores de riesgo cardiovascular –tabaquismo, hipertensión e hiperlipemia– y las características de la diabetes –tipo, tiempo de evolución, tratamiento, control metabólico y función renal–

Resultados: Prevalencia encontrada del 16,4%, sin diferencias significativas entre sexos. Las variables tabaquismo e hipertensión estaban relacionadas con la existencia de retinopatía y la variable años de evolución de la diabetes con su existencia y su gravedad. El 9,6% de las personas afectadas fueron derivadas a oftalmología con carácter preferente, por retinopatía amenazante para la visión y el 6,8% de las personas estudiadas fueron derivadas por otras patologías oftalmológicas.

Conclusiones: Es posible el seguimiento oftalmológico del 82% de la población diabética en atención primaria, implicando a sus profesionales y trabajando en equipo con el servicio de oftalmología. Es fundamental considerar esta enfermedad en el contexto global de la persona con diabetes, relacionándola con las otras complicaciones microvasculares y la enfermedad cardiovascular.

Keywords: Cribado; Diabetes mellitus tipo 2; Diabetic retinopathy; Gender perspective; Perspectiva de género; Retinopatía diabética; Screening; Teleoftalmología; Teleophthalmology; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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Figures

None
Esquema general del estudio.
Figura 1
Figura 1
Gravedad de la RD. Distribución por sexo (N =74).
Figura 2
Figura 2
Causas de derivación al servicio de oftalmología.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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