Skin autofluorescence, renal insufficiency and retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVES

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are involved in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Their accumulation in tissues can be analyzed by measuring the skin autofluorescence (sAF). We hypothesized that renal insufficiency, another cause of high sAF, may disturb the relation between sAF and DR.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We measured sAF with an AGE-Reader in 444 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and we analyzed their retinal status. The associations of sAF with DR, and interaction with renal insufficiency were estimated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Mean age was 62years (standard deviation (SD) 10years), diabetes duration 13 (9) years and mean HbA1C 8.9% (1.8). The prevalence of DR was 21.4% and increased with age, diabetes duration, arterial hypertension, renal parameters (serum creatinine and albumin excretion rates), and sAF. The prevalence of macular edema (ME) was 8.6% and increased with the duration of diabetes, but not with sAF (p=0.11). There was a significant interaction between renal insufficiency and sAF for the relation with DR or ME (p=0.02). For the 83% patients without renal insufficiency (estimated GFR>60mL/min/1.73m2), sAF was related to DR or ME after multivariate adjustment: OR 1.87 (1.09-3.19). The 17% patients with renal insufficiency had the highest rates of DR or ME (38.6%) and the highest sAF, unrelated to each other.

CONCLUSIONS

In T2D patients with renal insufficiency, the high sAF does not relate to retinopathy, which should be systematically searched due to its high frequency. For other patients, a high sAF argues for DR screening.

Association between Sickle Cell Trait and the Prevalence and Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose

To determine whether Sickle cell trait (SCT) is associated with an increased severity of diabetic retinopathy.

Methods

This was a single center retrospective study case control study of 100 eyes of 100 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with SCT (SCT group) and 100 eyes of 100 age-matched patients with DM without SCT (control group). The main outcome measure was the difference in the prevalence of sight threatening DR [here defined as diabetic macular edema (DME) and/or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)], between the SCT and control groups. Secondary outcome measures included differences in visual acuity, ocular comorbidities, intraocular pressure, glycemic control as assessed by random blood glucose measurement, diabetes duration, nephropathy, hyperlipidemia and hypertension.

Results

The SCT group had statistically significantly shorter duration of DM (median [25% quartile] 15 [8.3] years versus 20 [14.7] years, respectively)(P<0.001) and presented with statistically better metabolic control (mean difference 1.6 mmol/l, (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.1–3.3;P = 0.03). The prevalence of PDR and/or DME was significantly lower in the SCT group (58%) compared to the control group, (95%)(P<0.001). The absence of SCT (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 24; 95% CI, 8–72; P<0.001) and longer duration of DM (AOR = 1.1 [95% CI, 1.02–1.13]; P = 0.003) were independent predictors of PDR and/or DME.

Conclusions

SCT seems to protect against the development and progression of DR. This may have implications for monitoring and screening. Prospective studies are required to confirm this association. If true, this association may indicate an increased blood glucose buffering capacity of abnormal hemoglobin.

Comorbidity and Health Care Resource Use Among Commercially Insured Non-Elderly Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of blindness for non-elderly adults; however, health care-associated burden data from this population is lacking. The authors describe health care-associated burden in non-elderly patients with DME compared to those with diabetes and no DME.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective, large-cohort study examines enrollment and health care claims (2007 to 2011) from a national database of insured patients aged 18 to 63 years (mean: 51). Comorbidity and health care utilization differences between patients with DME (n = 24,326) and matched controls with diabetes but no DME (n = 122,710) were analyzed over 1 and 3 years.

RESULTS

DME patients had significantly more baseline comorbidities, and generally developed them at a higher rate over the study. Health care resource utilization rates were significantly higher in DME patients for every category analyzed. Patients with DME averaged more than 10 health care visits more than those with diabetes but no DME (25.5 vs 14.9; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Working-age patients with DME exhibit a complicated comorbidity profile and high associated burden of health care consumption. Considering this burden is critical for managing this complex population.

Lower Hemoglobin Concentration Is Associated with Retinal Ischemia and the Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes

Aims. To assess the association of blood oxygen-transport capacity variables with the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR), retinal ischemia, and macular oedema in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. Cross-sectional, case-control study (N = 312) with T2DM: 153 individuals with DR and 159 individuals with no DR. Participants were classified according to the severity of DR and the presence of retinal ischemia or macular oedema. Hematological variables were collected by standardized methods. Three logistic models were adjusted to ascertain the association between hematologic variables with the severity of DR and the presence of retinal ischemia or macular oedema. Results. Individuals with severe DR showed significantly lower hemoglobin, hematocrit, and erythrocyte levels compared with those with mild disease and in individuals with retinal ischemia and macular oedema compared with those without these disorders. Hemoglobin was the only factor that showed a significant inverse association with the severity of DR [beta-coefficient = -0.52, P value = 0.003] and retinal ischemia [beta-coefficient = -0.49, P value = 0.001]. Lower erythrocyte level showed a marginally significant association with macular oedema [beta-coefficient = -0.86, P value = 0.055]. Conclusions. In patients with DR, low blood oxygen-transport capacity was associated with more severe DR and the presence of retinal ischemia. Low hemoglobin levels may have a key role in the development and progression of DR.

Prevention of Cystoid Macular Edema After Cataract Surgery in Nondiabetic and Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the optimum medical strategy to prevent cystoid macular edema (CME) after cataract surgery.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

setting: Cochrane, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases were searched to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

STUDY POPULATION

RCTs comparing medical strategies to prevent CME after uncomplicated cataract surgery in nondiabetic and diabetic patients.

OBSERVATION PROCEDURES

Data were extracted by 2 authors independently. Quality of individual RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias and Delphi criteria.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Odds of developing CME within 3 months postoperatively and foveal thickness, macular volume and corrected distance visual acuity change within 3 months postoperatively, as compared to baseline.

RESULTS

Seventeen trials reported incidence rates. Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) significantly reduced the odds of developing CME as compared to topical corticosteroids in nondiabetic (odds ratio [OR] 0.11; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.03-0.37) and mixed populations (OR 0.05; 95% CI 0.02-0.11). A combination of topical corticosteroids and NSAIDs significantly reduced the odds of developing CME as compared to topical corticosteroids in nondiabetic (OR 0.21; 95% CI 0.10-0.44) and diabetic patients (OR 0.17; 95% CI 0.05-0.50). Intravitreal corticosteroid or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections did not show any additional benefit in diabetic subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical NSAIDs significantly reduced the odds of developing CME, as compared to topical corticosteroids, in nondiabetic and mixed populations. A combination of topical NSAIDs and corticosteroids reduced the odds of developing CME in nondiabetic and diabetic patients, as compared to topical corticosteroids.

[Prevalence of the Diabetic Retinopathy and Genetic Factors Significance in the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus type I and II in Slovakia (DIARET SK study). Overview of Actual Findings and Design of the Epidemiological DIARET SK Study]

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the second most common microvascular complication and the most common cause of blindness in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Despite the ongoing research, the findings of diabetic retinopathy epidemiological and risk factors are, until now, not consistent. More finding may be revealed by epidemiological studies, consistently mapping DR epidemiology under the current possibilities of investigations and treatment of the DM.

DIARET SK

DIARET SK Study, with 5 000 enrolled patients with diabetes mellitus in the Slovak Republic, is, until now, the largest epidemiological study to set the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy. The primary aim is to establish the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus type I and II, according to the duration of the disease. The secondary aim is to establish prevalence of the different stages of the DR and diabetic macular edema (DME) and analysis of the risk factors influence. Included are patients with DM type I and II regardless to the ocular complications history and the period of DM duration. Each enrolled patient has both complex diabetic and ophthalmic examinations.Projects to establish DR prevalence: Tens of projects concerned with diabetic retinopathy epidemiology with different approaches to establish the prevalence and with different patients population. Results from different studies vary significantly (from 12.3 % to 66.9 %). The results depend on the design of the study and the patients recruitment, used examination methods, specific patients population with regard to the geography, prevalence of risk factors, period of diabetes duration, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) level, blood pressure, and is higher in type I diabetic patients. The most accurate results are from population epidemiological studies with well-controlled patient recruitment and uniform complex examination that are similar to the DIARET SK study.

CONCLUSION

The DIARET SK study represents the largest epidemiological study to establish the prevalence of the diabetic retinopathy in patients with DM type I and II. Thanks to the quality design, similar to the already published studies, but with larger number of patients and newest examinations methods, the DIARET SK study has the aspiration to obtain the most accurate up to date data of diabetic retinopathy prevalence and risk factors influence to its outbreak. The patients recruitment started in February 2015. The expected date of patients recruitment termination is in the end of the year 2015, and the data analysis in 2016.

Association Between Diabetic Macular Edema and Cardiovascular Events in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Multicenter Observational Study

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the main cause of visual loss associated with diabetes but any association between DME and cardiovascular events is unclear.This study aims to describe the possible association between DME and cardiovascular events in a multicenter cross-sectional study of patients with type 2 diabetes.Two thousand eight hundred seven patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited from diabetes and nephrology clinical institutional centers participating in the DIAB 2 NEPHROGENE study focusing on diabetic complications. DME (presence/absence) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) classification were based on ophthalmological report and/or on 30° color retinal photographs. DR was defined as absent, nonproliferative (background, moderate, or severe) or proliferative. Cardiovascular events were stroke, myocardial infarction, and lower limb amputation.Details regarding associations between DME and cardiovascular events were evaluated.The study included 2807 patients with type 2 diabetes, of whom 355 (12.6%) had DME. DME was significantly and independently associated with patient age, known duration of diabetes, HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, and DR stage. Only the prior history of lower limb amputation was strongly associated with DME in univariate and multivariate analyses, whereas no association was found with regard to myocardial infarction or stroke. Moreover, both major (n = 32) and minor lower limb (n = 96) amputations were similarly associated with DME, with respective odds ratio of 3.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77-7.74; P = 0.0012) and of 4.29 (95% CI, 2.79-6.61; P < 0.001).DME is strongly and independently associated with lower limb amputation in type 2 diabetic patients.

Risk Factors for Retinopathy and DME in Type 2 Diabetes-Results from the German/Austrian DPV Database

To assess the prevalence and risk factors for early and severe diabetic retinopathy and macular edema in a large cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes Retinopathy grading (any retinopathy, severe retinopathy, diabetic macular edema) and risk factors of 64784 were prospectively recorded between January 2000 and March 2013 and analyzed by Kaplan–Meier analysis and logistic regression. Retinopathy was present in 20.12% of subjects, maculopathy was found in 0.77%. HbA1c > 8%, microalbuminuria, hypertension, BMI > 35 kg/m² and male sex were significantly associated with any retinopathy, while HbA1c and micro- and macroalbuminuria were the strongest risk predictors for severe retinopathy. Presence of macroalbuminuria increased the risk for DME by 177%. Retinopathy remains a significant clinical problem in patients with type 2 diabetes. Metabolic control and blood pressure are relevant factors amenable to treatment. Concomitant kidney disease identifies high risk patients and should be emphasized in interdisciplinary communication.

Using classical test theory, item response theory, and Rasch measurement theory to evaluate patient-reported outcome measures: a comparison of worked examples

OBJECTIVE

To provide comparisons and a worked example of item- and scale-level evaluations based on three psychometric methods used in patient-reported outcome development-classical test theory (CTT), item response theory (IRT), and Rasch measurement theory (RMT)-in an analysis of the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VFQ-25).

METHODS

Baseline VFQ-25 data from 240 participants with diabetic macular edema from a randomized, double-masked, multicenter clinical trial were used to evaluate the VFQ at the total score level. CTT, RMT, and IRT evaluations were conducted, and results were assessed in a head-to-head comparison.

RESULTS

Results were similar across the three methods, with IRT and RMT providing more detailed diagnostic information on how to improve the scale. CTT led to the identification of two problematic items that threaten the validity of the overall scale score, sets of redundant items, and skewed response categories. IRT and RMT additionally identified poor fit for one item, many locally dependent items, poor targeting, and disordering of over half the response categories.

CONCLUSIONS

Selection of a psychometric approach depends on many factors. Researchers should justify their evaluation method and consider the intended audience. If the instrument is being developed for descriptive purposes and on a restricted budget, a cursory examination of the CTT-based psychometric properties may be all that is possible. In a high-stakes situation, such as the development of a patient-reported outcome instrument for consideration in pharmaceutical labeling, however, a thorough psychometric evaluation including IRT or RMT should be considered, with final item-level decisions made on the basis of both quantitative and qualitative results.

Underuse of the health care system by persons with diabetes mellitus and diabetic macular edema in the United States

IMPORTANCE

Thickening of the center of the retina, diabetic macular edema (DME), is the most common cause of visual loss due to diabetes mellitus. Treatment of DME has improved dramatically, and the prompt diagnosis of DME and referral of these patients have become more critical. Nonetheless, awareness of and care for DME in the US population is uncharacterized.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize eye care and awareness of eye disease among persons with DME in the general US population.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Cross-sectional analysis of data from participants in the 2005 to 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 40 years or older with diabetes mellitus and fundus photographs.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Among persons with DME, (1) awareness that diabetes has affected their eyes; (2) report on the last time they visited a diabetes specialist; (3) report on their last eye examination with pupil dilation; and (4) prevalence of visual impairment.

RESULTS

In 2010, only 44.7% (95% CI, 27.0%-62.4%) of US adults 40 years or older with DME reported being told by a physician that diabetes had affected their eyes or that they had retinopathy; 46.7% (95% CI, 27.5%-66.0%), that they had visited a diabetes nurse educator, dietician, or nutritionist for their diabetes mellitus more than 1 year ago or never; and 59.7% (95% CI, 43.5%-75.9%), that they had received an eye examination with pupil dilation in the last year. Among persons with DME, 28.7% (95% CI, 12.7%-44.7%) were visually impaired (defined as visual acuity worse than 20/40 in the eye with DME) based on visual acuity at the initial examination and 16.0% (95% CI, 2.5%-29.4%) based on best-corrected visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Many persons with diabetes mellitus in the United States are not getting care that can prevent visual impairment and blindness. Strategies to increase awareness are warranted, especially given the recent availability of improved therapies for DME.

[Therapeutic approach in persistent diabetic macular edema]

Terminology of persistent diabetic macular edema has been initially reserved to cases unresponsive to conventional laser photocoagulation according to ETDRS criteria. While knowledge about pathophysiology of macular edema evolved and new drugs became available, the terminology of persistent diabetic macular edema expanded to include resistance to most current therapies. The purpose of this paper is to review medical and surgical options in the treatment of such difficult cases according to literature data and personal experience.

United Kingdom National Ophthalmology Database Study: Diabetic Retinopathy; Report 1: prevalence of centre-involving diabetic macular oedema and other grades of maculopathy and retinopathy in hospital eye services

AIMS

To report estimates of the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and maculopathy grades for a large cohort of patients managed by the UK hospital eye service (HES).

METHODS

Anonymised data were extracted from 30 UK NHS hospital trusts using a single ophthalmic electronic medical record (EMR) for the period from April 2000 to November 2010 to create the National Ophthalmology Database (NOD). From 2007, the EMR facilitated capture of a nationally agreed-upon standardised data set (DR Structured Assessment) relating to the presence or absence of clinical signs of DR and maculopathy. An algorithm in the software automatically calculated the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study grades of retinopathy and maculopathy.

RESULTS

Between 2007 and 2010, 307,538 patients had data on the NOD, with 76,127 (24.8%) patients having been recorded as having diabetes. The proportion of patients with diabetes who had a structured assessment increased from 50.7% (2007) to 86.8% (2010). In each NHS year, 12.6-20.6% of eyes with structured assessments had no DR; 59.6-67.3% had non-proliferative DR; and 18.3-20.9% had active or regressed proliferative DR. Clinically significant macular oedema was present in 15.8-18.1% of eyes, and in 8.7-10.0% of eyes, this involved the central macula.

CONCLUSION

This study provides contemporary estimates of the prevalence of retinopathy and maculopathy grades in a large cohort of patients with diabetes managed by the UK HES. Centre-involving diabetic macular oedema, potentially amenable to anti-VEGF therapy, is present in the eyes of almost 10% of these patients. This information is useful for clinicians, health-care economists, and commissioners involved in planning and delivering diabetic eye services.

Higher age at onset of type 1 diabetes increases risk of macular oedema

PURPOSE

To investigate whether age at onset of type 1 diabetes is a risk factor for clinically significant macular oedema (CSME).

METHODS

A sample of 1354 patients with a mean duration of diabetes 24.6 ± 11.6 years was drawn from the FinnDiane Study population and divided into age at onset groups 0-4 (n = 184), 5-14 (n = 662) and 15-40 years (n = 508). Type 1 diabetes was defined as age at onset ≤40 years, C-peptide negativity and insulin treatment initiated within 1 year of diagnosis. Retinopathy status was assessed from fundus photographs and stereoscopic fundus examinations and graded with the ETDRS scale.

RESULTS

After 30 years of diabetes, the estimated cumulative incidences of CSME were 17% (95% CI 11-26) in age at onset group 0-4 years, 27% (95% CI 23-32) in age at onset group 5-14 years and 34% (95% CI 27-41) in age at onset group 15-40 years (p = 0.002, Gray's test). In a competing risks regression model, adjusted for covariates selected with Bayesian information criteria, age at onset 5-14 years (HR 1.89 [95% CI 1.22-2.91], p = 0.004), and age at onset 15-40 years (HR 3.72 [95% CI 2.35-5.89], p < 0.0001), were significant overall risk factors for CSME (p < 0.0001). Higher ETDRS score (HR 1.04 ([95% CI 1.03-1.05], p < 0.0001), HbA1c (HR 1.12 [95% CI 1.02-1.23], p = 0.016), and total cholesterol (HR 1.19 [95% CI 1.04-1.37], p = 0.013) also increased the risk of CSME.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher age at onset of type 1 diabetes is a significant risk factor for macular oedema. This suggests that ageing may modify the risk of retinopathy in type 1 diabetes.

Optical coherence tomography in diabetic macular edema: patterns and related risk factors

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is an important cause of vision loss in diabetic retinopathy. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive modality that produces high-resolution images of retinal layers.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of DME patterns and their association with risk factors and visual acuity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, type 2 diabetics with macular edema referred to our center during a ten-month period underwent OCT. Patients with macular edema due to causes other than diabetes and with OCT images of improper quality were excluded from the study. Four distinct patterns were found in the OCT images. A questionnaire including age, sex, duration of diabetes, serum TG and cholesterol, HbA1c, BMI and visual acuity, as well as the findings of OCT images were filled for the subjects.

RESULTS

Eighty-six eyes from 46 patients were evaluated. The most and the least common patterns were sponge-like retinal swelling (SLRS) and posterior hyaloidal traction (PHT) found in 64.0% and 5.8% of the subjects, respectively. A sub-retinal fluid pattern was more common in males (p=0.011) and in patients with serum TG > 200mg/dl (p=0.037). There were significant associations between central foveal (r=0.45, p less than 0.001), nasal (r=0.35, p=0.001) and temporal (r=0.32, p=0.003) thicknesses with visual acuity. Moreover, the highest thickness (462.4±119.2μm) and also the worst visual acuity (1.0±0.5logMAR) pertained to the cystoid macular edema (CME) pattern.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that the most common OCT pattern of DME is the sponge-like retinal swelling, while posterior hyaloidal traction has the lowest prevalence. A higher foveal thickness and a lower visual acuity are seen in the CME pattern.

Identifying risk factors for clinically significant diabetic macula edema in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

It is known that clinic blood pressure (BP), gender, cigarette smoking, dyslipidemia, anemia and thiazolidenediones (TZD) treatment are predictors for clinically significant diabetic macula edema (CSDME). We examined a most risky factor for CSDME in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) confirmed using optical coherence tomography by multiple regression analysis (MRA). As the risk factors, wakening-up BP was added to such factors. Seven diabetic Japanese patients with CSDME (group 1) and 124 subjects without CSDME (group 2) assonated with DR using optical coherence tomography were studied. The durations of T2DM in groups 1 and 2 were 15±10 years and 20±15 years, respectively. There was no statistically difference in means of gender, duration, age, body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, TC, LDL and TC/HDL, serum creatinine, urinary albumin excretion rate, and clinic BP between two groups. Morning systolic home BP (MSHBP), cigarette smoking and foveal thickness were significantly (p<0.001) higher in group 1 than group 2, whereas visual acuity was significantly (p<0.00?) lower in group 1 than in group 2. The patients in both groups had received various kinds of drugs for hyperglycemia, hypertension and others. There were no significant differences in the variables in both groups. MRA revealed that MSHBP, cigarette smoking and pioglitazone as TZD treatment were significantly positive predictors for CSDME, while BMI had a significantly negative predictor. Other variables were not significantly correlated to CSDME. The review summarizes a multiple regression analysis revealed that MSHBP makes an addition to predictive factors for CSDME among risk factors reported previously in patient with T2DM.

Epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy in Africa: a systematic review

AIM

To summarize findings from studies reporting the prevalence and incidence of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic maculopathy in African countries in light of the rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Using a predefined search strategy, we systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation index and Conference Proceedings Citation index, African Index Medicus and the grey literature database 'OpenSIGLE' for studies published between January 1990 and February 2011. Included studies reported prevalence or incidence of diabetic retinopathy or diabetic maculopathy of subjects with diabetes resident in African countries.

RESULTS

Sixty-two studies from 21 countries were included: three population-based surveys; two cohort studies; five case-control studies; 32 diabetes clinic-based, nine eye clinic-based and 11 other hospital-based surveys. Included studies varied considerably in terms of patient selection, method of assessing the eye and retinopathy classification. In population-based studies, the reported prevalence range in patients with diabetes for diabetic retinopathy was 30.2 to 31.6%, proliferative diabetic retinopathy 0.9 to 1.3%, and any maculopathy 1.2 to 4.5%. In diabetes clinic-based surveys, the reported prevalence range for diabetic retinopathy was 7.0 to 62.4%, proliferative diabetic retinopathy 0 to 6.9%, and any maculopathy 1.2 to 31.1%. No obvious association between prevalence and income level of the country was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Large, community-based cross-sectional and cohort studies are needed to investigate rates and determinants of prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, incidence and progression in Africa. Consensus is needed on the most appropriate methods of identification and classification of retinopathy for research and clinical practice. Estimates of prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, proliferative diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy are comparable with recent European and American studies.

Current epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema

With increasing global prevalence of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy (DR) is set to be the principle cause of vision impairment in many countries. DR affects a third of people with diabetes and the prevalence increases with duration of diabetes, hyperglycemia, and hypertension-the major risk factors for the onset and progression of DR. There are now increasing data on the epidemiology of diabetic macular edema (DME), an advanced complication of DR, with studies suggesting DME may affect up to 7 % of people with diabetes. The risk factors for DME are largely similar to DR, but dyslipidemia appears to play a more significant role. Early detection of DR and DME through screening programs and appropriate referral for therapy is important to preserve vision in individuals with diabetes. Future research is necessary to better understand the potential role of other risk factors such as apolipoproteins and genetic predisposition to shape public health programs.

[Diabetic retinopathy screening and teleophthalmology]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and evaluate our experience in DR screening in a study carried out between the Ophthalmology Department of the University General Hospital of Alicante and Department 19 Primary Care of Alicante by using a non-retinal mydriatic camera and telemedicine.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 2,435 diabetic patients from 1 February 2006 to 1 February 2009. Three 45° retinographies of both eyes of each patient were obtained and sent to the Department of Ophthalmology via the hospital intranet. These were then evaluated by 2 ophthalmologists, experts in the retina, with each issuing an individualized report for each patient.

RESULTS

The prevalence of DR was 17.90%, with 80.73% of them having mild-moderate proliferative DR, 12.16% severe non-proliferative DR, 2.29% proliferative DR, and 4.82% with diabetic maculopathy associated with any level of retinopathy. The retinographies were considered low quality in 41 patients (1.69%).

CONCLUSIONS

We highlight the benefits of the tele-ophthalmology in screening diabetic patients to enable early diagnosis and treatment, and improving the circuit of communication between primary and specialist care.

Retinopathy in old persons with and without diabetes mellitus: the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility--Reykjavik Study (AGES-R)

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

We aimed to describe the prevalence of retinopathy in an aged cohort of Icelanders with and without diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 4,994 persons aged ≥ 67 years, who participated in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study (AGES-R). Type 2 diabetes mellitus was defined as HbA(1c) ≥ 6.5% (>48 mmol/mol). Retinopathy was assessed by grading fundus photographs using the modified Airlie House adaptation of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocol. Associations between retinopathy and risk factors were estimated using odds ratios obtained from multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of retinopathy in AGES-R was 12.4%. Diabetes mellitus was present in 516 persons (10.3%), for 512 of whom gradable fundus photos were available, including 138 persons (27.0%, 95% CI 23.2, 31.0) with any retinopathy. Five persons (1.0%, 95% CI 0.3, 2.3) had proliferative retinopathy. Clinically significant macular oedema was present in five persons (1.0%, 95% CI 0.3, 2.3). Independent risk factors for retinopathy in diabetic patients in a multivariate model included HbA(1c), insulin use and use of oral hypoglycaemic agents, the last two being indicators of longer disease duration. In 4478 participants without diabetes mellitus, gradable fundus photos were available for 4,453 participants, with retinopathy present in 476 (10.7%, 95% CI 9.8, 11.6) and clinically significant macular oedema in three persons. Independent risk factors included increasing age and microalbuminuria.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Over three-quarters (78%) of retinopathy cases were found in persons without diabetes and a strong association between microalbuminuria and non-diabetic retinopathy was found. These results may have implications for patient management of the aged.

[Does cardiovascular comorbidities are important as far as ophthalmology treatment is concerned?]

Majority of patients with glaucoma, age-related maculopathy or diabetic macular edema is old. Therefore arterial hypertension, coronary arterial disease, diabetes and dyslipidemia are common finding in patients with sick eye. In this article some situations needing cooperation of cardiologist and ophthalmologist have been pointed. The influence of treatment of hypertension on glaucoma outcomes and the influence of intraocular injections of biological drugs on cardiovascular risk seems to be the most important issues.

[Ocular complications of the diabetes--diagnostic and therapeutic implications]

Author describe actual knowledge about diabetes epidemiology and ocular complications in course of diabetes. More information about innovation diabetic macular edema treatment is done.