Epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy in Egypt: a hospital-based study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and determinants of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients ≥18 years at the Cairo University and Sixth of October University hospitals.


METHODS
This is a cross-sectional survey among known diabetic patients attending diabetic clinics. Patients were randomly selected to complete an interviewer-administered questionnaire and a medical assessment. All patients had a dilated fundus examination for evidence of DR using slit-lamp biomicroscopy.


RESULTS
A sample of 1,325 patients was selected with a mean age of 49 years (SD ±12.9). DR was found in 20.5% of patients. Most patients (82%) were not aware of the hazards of diabetes mellitus for the eyes. The prevalence of DR was statistically significantly higher in females (22 vs.17%, p < 0.05), with longer diabetes disease duration (p < 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.001) and absence of hypertension control (p < 0.001), especially proliferative DR. Increasing age and poor glycemic control were associated with a nonsignificant increase in the rate of DR (p = 0.340 and p = 0.444, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of DR in our study population is 20.5%. Regular screening is highly recommended for early detection of DR where timely laser photocoagulation is known to reduce the risk of visual loss in these patients.
Macky
Tamer A
TA
Department of Ophthalmology, Kasr El Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt. tamermacky@gmail.com
Khater
Noha
N
Al-Zamil
Mohammad A
MA
El Fishawy
Hussein
H
Soliman
Mahmoud M
MM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult