Prevalence and associated factors of diabetic retinopathy in Chandrubeksa Hospital, Directorate of Medical Services, Royal Thai Air Force.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes in the diabetes clinic at Chandrubeksa Hospital.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed on 261 type 2 diabetic patients at Chandrubeksa Hospital on January 2011. They all underwent fundus examination by ophthalmologists using indirect ophthalmoscope to check for any signs of DR.


RESULTS
Retinopathy was presented in 67 (25.70%) patients who were categorized into non-proliferative and proliferative types, 23.4% and 2.3% respectively. The patients who received insulin treatment were more likely to have DR than those who had not (OR 3.95, 95% CI 1.86, 8.39). Those who had had diabetes for more than 5 years were more likely to have diabetic retinopathy than those with diabetes for a lesser amount of time (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.28, 4.33).


CONCLUSIONS
Insulin treatment and the duration of diabetes are the significant associated factors for developing diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients. The authors emphasize the necessity of regular eye check-ups which can provide the patients with early detection so that treatment can begin before much damage occurs.
Department of Ophthalmology, Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Directorate ofMedical Services, Royal Thai Air Force, Bangkok, Thailand. sukhumsilp@gmail.com
Sukhum
S
Silpa-Archa
Roongthip
R
Sukhawarn
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013785:Thailand