Prevalence and Associated Factors of Diabetic Retinopathy in Chandrubeksa Hospital, Directorate of Medical Services, Royal Thai Air Force
Sukhum Silpa-archa MD*, Roongthip Sukhawarn MD, MSc, PhD*
Affiliation : * Department of Ophthalmology, Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Directorate of Medical Services, Royal Thai Air Force, Bangkok, Thailand
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.
Material and Method: 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 (25.7%) 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).
Conclusion : 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.
Keywords : Diabetic retinopathy (DR), Insulin, Prevalence
