Temporal trends in the age-specific prevalence of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy in older persons: Population-based survey findings.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the age-specific prevalence of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy (DR) over 6 years.


METHODS
The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) examined 3654 residents (82.4% response) aged >49 years in BMES I (1992-1994). Survivors (n = 2335) and newly eligible residents (n = 1174) were examined in BMES II (1997-2000). Diabetes was defined by history or fasting plasma glucose > or =7.0 mmol/L. DR was graded from 6-field retinal photographs using the Airlie House Classification. Age-specific prevalence in 5-year intervals was compared, as samples of each age group were independent.


RESULTS
The overall diabetes prevalence increased from 7.8 to 9.9% (p = 0.002) while the age-specific prevalence increased in age groups 60-74 years, over 6 years. A slightly higher prevalence of mild levels of DR (p = 0.018) but lower prevalence of moderate-severe levels of DR (p = 0.049) was evident in BMES II compared to BMES I. Factors significantly associated with DR prevalence were diabetes duration > or =20 years (BMES I, OR 7.6 [2.9-20.5]; BMES II, OR 6.1 [2.5-15.4]) and blood glucose level (BMES I, OR 1.1 [1.0-1.2]; BMES II, OR 1.2 [1.1-1.3] per mmol/L increase).


CONCLUSIONS
An increased prevalence of diabetes, but decreased prevalence of severe levels of DR, was documented in two survey samples from the same region over 6 years.
Cugati
Sudha
S
Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
Kifley
Annette
A
Mitchell
Paul
P
Wang
Jie Jin
JJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013997:Time Factors