title: Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in Tehran province: a population-based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To determine the prevalence and characteristics of diabetic retinopathy (DR) among Iranian patients with diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  population-based cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  patients with diabetes aged 25 to 64 years in Tehran province, Iran. This survey was conducted from April to October 2007. The study sample was derived from the first national survey of risk factors for non-communicable disease. Diabetes mellitus was defined as a fasting plasma glucose of >or= 7.0 mmol/l (126 mg/dl) or more, use of diabetic medications, or a physician's diagnosis of diabetes. All patients known to have diabetes underwent an eye examination by bio-microscope and indirect ophthalmoscope to check for any signs of DR through dilated pupils by + 78 lens. Participants were also interviewed and examined to determine their demographic characteristics, medical conditions and the regularity of their eye visits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 7989 screened patients, 759 (9.5%) had diabetes. Of them, 639 patients (84.2%) underwent eye examination. Five patients (0.7%) with media opacity were excluded. Of 634 examined patients with diabetes, 240 had some degree of diabetic retinopathy, and the overall standardized prevalence of any retinopathy was 37.0% (95% CI: 33.2-40.8), including 27.3% (95% CI: 23.7-30.8) (n = 175) with non-proliferative and 9.6% (95% CI: 7.3-11.9) (n = 65) with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Clinically significant macular edema and vision-threatening retinopathy were detected in 5.8% (95% CI: 4.0-7.7) (n = 38) and 14.0% (95% CI: 11.3-16.7) (n = 95) of patients, respectively. Only 143 patients (22.6%) with diabetes had a history of regular eye examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated a high prevalence and poor control of DR in Tehran province. This suggests the need for adequate prevention and treatment in patients with diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Research Center, Labbafinejad Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. labbafi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Javadi
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Katibeh
authors.forename: Nasrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rafati
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Dehghan
authors.forename: Farid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zayeri
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yaseri
authors.forename: Mojtaba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sehat
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahmadieh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors