Hospital-Based Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy and Clinical Correlates among Diabetics Attending a Tertiary Eye Clinic in Makurdi Central Nigeria

Ben-Ameh TJ; Kator C; Ben-Ameh M; Eze UA

doi:10.61386/imj.v19i3.1205

Authors

Ben-Ameh TJ Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Father Moses Orshio Adasu University (formerly Benue State University)/Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, Nigeria
Kator C Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Father Moses Orshio Adasu University (formerly Benue State University)/Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, Nigeria
Ben-Ameh M Department of Family Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Nigeria
Eze UA Department of Research, University of Puthisastra, Phnom-Penh, Cambodia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61386/imj.v19i3.1205

Keywords:

Prevalence, Diabetic retinopathy, clinical correlates, Nigeria

Abstract

Context: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common ocular complication seen in patients with diabetes mellitus. Periodic screening for DR in diabetics is recommended.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and clinical correlates of diabetic patients receiving care at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, following screening for diabetic retinopathy.

Materials and Methods: A hospital- based analytic cross-sectional study was carried out among diabetic patients attending the endocrinology and general outpatient clinics at the BSUTH. Data was obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. A comprehensive eye examination was conducted for all the participants. Descriptive analysis (frequencies and percentages for categorical data and mean with standard deviation for quantitative data) was done. The chi-square test and logistic regression were used to test the association between the outcome variable and independent variables at a level of significance of p<0.05.

Results: A total of 371 patients with an age range of 23-76 years (mean age 54.4 ± 11.6 years) were enrolled in the study. Majority (215, 58.0%) were females. About 144 (38.8%) of the patients had diabetic retinopathy. Macular oedema was detected in 64 (44.4%) of participants. The predictors of DR were duration of diabetes mellitus(AOR=1.29,p<0.001) poor glycaemic control with average FBS ≥7.0 mmol/L (AOR=2.87,P<0.001), systolic hypertension (AOR=2.31,P=0.001) and renal disease (AOR=3.27,P <0.001).

Conclusion: The hospital-based prevalence of DR in this study was high at 38.8% and the predictors of DR were duration of diabetes, poor glycaemic control, systemic hypertension and renal disease. Routine screening of diabetic patients (especially those with a longer history of DM) and early treatment of DR will reduce the risk of developing sight-threatening DR and blindness.