[Screening diabetic retinopathy using a telediagnosis system. Results of the upper Rhine survey].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to present the results of diabetic retinopathy screening using a nonmydriatic fundus camera in the upper Rhine (France).


METHODS
The screening period took place from September 2004 to December 2007. Patients came to three referring medical centers (Altkirch, Mulhouse, Thann) and all had three fundus photographs on both eyes without pupillary dilatation. The data were stored on a website. The photographs were then analyzed by the team of experts from the Department of Ophthalmology of the Mulhouse General Hospital. The results were sent to the general practitioner with treatment guidelines. The campaign was evaluated at the end of the screening period using a questionnaire.


RESULTS
In this study, 1050 diabetics patients were screened: 18% had diabetic retinopathy; of these 1.5% had proliferative or serious nonproliferative diabetic retinopathies and 74.2% mild nonproliferative forms. The mean value of hemoglobin A1C was 9.3% (+/-2.55), the patients' mean age of patients was 61.5 (+/-14.3) years, and the mean onset of diabetes was 16.6 (+/-7.9) years before screening. After screening, 70% of the patients consulted an ophthalmologist. Ninety percent of the referent practitioners received the results of the screening.


CONCLUSIONS
The diabetic retinopathy screening campaign in the upper Rhine provided a real benefit in terms of public health and prevention of diabetic retinal complications.
Lenoble
P
P
Service d'ophtalmologie, Centre hospitalier de Mulhouse, Mulhouse, France. LENOBLEP@ch-mulhouse.fr
Kheliouen
M
M
Bourderont
D
D
Klinger
V
V
Nasica
X
X
Benseddik
Y
Y
Holl
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017216:Telemedicine; D055815:Young Adult