Abstract
Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of DR and to compare the difference in the prevalence rate according to different patient's characteristics among newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients in Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Study design: A cross sectional study
Methods: This study was conducted at the ophthalmology clinic in Abha General Hospital, Saudi Arabia. All newly diagnosed diabetic type 2 patients attending primary health care centers in Abha during the period of study (39 PHCCs) were referred to the ophthalmology department in Abha General Hospital for diabetic retinopathy screening until the required sample size was reached. After adequate mydriasis, the examination of the posterior segment was carried out using slit-lamp biomicroscope with 90-dioptor lens. The intraocular pressure was measured using applanation tonometry. Diabetic retinopathy was classified using Friedman's standards. Results: The study included 393 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients. Their age ranged between 21 and 96 years with a mean of 52.9 years and standard deviation of 11.8 years. Female patients represented (242) 61.6% of them. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients was (13) 3.3%. All DR cases were classified using Friedman's standards as background or non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The prevalence of DR among female newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients was (13) 5.4% compared to none among males. This difference was statistically significant, p=0.002. The prevalence of DR was (13) 4.3% among not working type 2 diabetic patients compared to none among working patients. This difference was statistically significant, p=0.027. Intra-ocular pressure was within normal values for all patients in both eyes.
Conclusion: The prevalence of retinopathy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients was found to be relatively low in this study compared to international studies.