[Epidemiology and regional differences of diabetic retinopathy in Pernambuco, Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy among patients cared for in a screening program in Pernambuco, Brazil, comparing regional differences between urban and rural zones.


METHODS
The charts of 2,223 diabetic patients (1,568 females and 655 males; mean age 59.3 +/- 12.0 years; mean duration of diabetes 8.1 +/- 6.3 years) that took part in a screening program for diabetic retinopathy at Altino Ventura Foundation from June 2004 to June 2005 were reviewed for the presence of the disease. Patients were divided into two groups: group I, patients living in Recife and the metropolitan area; group II, patients living in the interior of Pernambuco state.


RESULTS
In group I, 477 (24.2%) patients had diabetic retinophathy, while in group II, 89 (39.4%) patients (p<0.0001). The frequency of proliferative diabetic retinophathy, macular edema, vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment was higher in group II patients (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients living in the interior of Pernambuco state have a higher incidence of diabetic retinophathy and the advanced forms than patients living in Recife and the metropolitan area when examined in a screening program for diabetic retinopathy at the Altino Ventura Foundation. Telemedicine and descentralization actions are recommended for improvement of screening quality in patients living in the interior of Pernambuco state.
Escarião
Paulo Henrique Gonçalves
PH
Departamento de Oftalmologia da Fundação Altino Ventura, Recife, PE, Brasil. phescariao@hotmail.com
Arantes
Tiago Eugênio Faria de
TE
Figueiroa Filho
Natanael Cavalcanti
NC
Urtiga
Ricardo de Deus
Rde D
Florêncio
Telma Lúcia Tabosa
TL
Arcoverde
Ana Lúcia de Andrade Lima
AL
D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014823:Vitreous Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology