[Diabetic retinopathy in Martinique: results of a cross-sectional survey based on 771 patients].
BACKGROUND
Because of the gravity of diabetic retinopathy in Martinique, a cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and September 1996 to estimate the prevalence of this complication on this island.


METHODS
Clinical data, obtained by examining and questioning 771 diabetic patients (recruited among the usual practice of the ophthalmologists), were analyzed using Epi-Info.


RESULTS
Some form of diabetic retinopathy was present in 42%. of the patients and 8.3% presented proliferative retinopathy. A total of 78% of the patients presented a non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, essentially women. Medical supervision of the diabetes and its ophthalmologic complications proved to be insufficient. Principal risk factors found for the prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy were a long duration of diabetes, insulin-dependent type diabetes among women and the whole population, age among men, mode of treatment (insulin), and hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are higher than those usually reported in France. This can be explained by diet and racial factors: the population is mainly of African and Indian descent. Risk factors are the same as those already described in earlier studies. To improve these prevalences, strategies should include classic methods risk factors correction, patients education, increasing coordination between the different medical specialists), but should also take into account the particularities of this Caribbean population such as racial, economic, historical, and sociocultural factors.
Donnio-Cordoba
A
A
Service d'Ophtalmologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Fort de France, Hôpital Pierre Zobda-Quitman, BP 632, F-97261 Fort de France Cedex, Martinique, France.
Richer
R
R
Spinelli
F
F
Merle
H
H
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008395:Martinique / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires