title: Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy in Northland, New Zealand: 2011-2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy in the Northland Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of the latest and most severe retinopathy and maculopathy grades from each patient in the programme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from 7098 screenings from 5647 diabetics were obtained, which represented approximately 77% of the total number of diagnosed diabetics in Northland. The two main ethnic groups in our study were New Zealand European (56.5%) and Maori (39.3%). Retinopathy was present in 19% of the Northland diabetic screening population: 13.6% had minimal non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), 5.4% had NPDR and 0.4% had Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR). Ethnicity data for NPDR was 57% Maori, 38% European, and PDR 50% Maori, 45% European. Maculopathy was present in 11%. Maculopathy requiring treatment was present in 1.4% (Maori 48%, European 44%). The mean failure-to-attend rate was 31%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rates of retinopathy and maculopathy detected by the Northland screening programme were comparable to rates reported in Waikato, lower than Wellington rates and lower than international averages. Maori were over-represented in patients with retinopathy and maculopathy, but underrepresented within the screening population. The success of this programme was undermined by the high failure-to-attend rate despite attempts to improve access.
authors.affiliation: Wellington Hospital, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand. Alistair.Papalii-Curtin@ccdhb.org.nz.
authors.forename: Alistair T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Papali'i-Curtin
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Dalziel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult