Prevalence and associated factors of diabetic retinopathy in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Morocco

Author: souhaila benameur (Morocco)

Co-authors: khalil zrikem, meryem chokayri, adil mchachi, laila benhmidoune, rayad rachid, mohamed elbelhadji

Purpose

To report the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its association with risk factors in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients

Setting/Venue

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular disorder occurring due to long term effects of diabetes. It can lead to vision-threatening damage to the retina, eventually blindness. Strict glycemic control, early detection and appropriate management is the key to halt the progression of the disease.

Methods

A retrospective study including all the newly diagnosed patients with type II diabetes mellitus between March 2020 and March 2021 attending the ophthalmology department of the 20 August hospital in Casablanca. Complete ocular examinations were performed Risk factors such as sex, age, hypertension, nephropathy, hyperglycemia, level of glycated hemoglobin, microalbuminuria and hyperlipidemia were evaluated

Results

The study included 64 newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Diabetic retinopathy has been identified in 5 of these patients (7.8%). The mean age of 58.1 ± 9.4 years. 60% were female. Non proliferative DR was present in all patients with DR. Only one patient had a significant macular edema requiring intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. We noted in the study population a high glycated hemoglobin in 36 patients (56.2%), microalbuminuria in 20 (31.2%), hypertension in 30 (46.8%), hyperlipidemia in 39 (60.9%) and obesity in 23(35.9%).

Conlusions

Early screening is strongly recommended for all newly-diagnosed T2DM patients. A study with a larger sample size is needed to elucidate the risk factors for DR in newly diagnosed T2DM.

Financial Disclosure

no financial interest