Assessment of Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Diabetic Retinopathy among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Central Province of Saudi Arabia: A Hospital Based Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder by high blood sugar level for a prolonged time in human beings.  Diabetic Retinopathy is a one of the complications of DM.  It is a public health problem Worldwide.
Objectives: Our main objective was to assess diabetic retinopathy prevalence among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh and to assess the prevalence of each stage of diabetic retinopathy among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh.
Materials and Methods: We have done a hospital based retrospective study with a sample of 543 DR patients with DM.  The patients’ data were collected from their medical records from 1st June – 30th September 2020 in the Department of Endocrinology, King Abdullah Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  In this study, we have used chi-square test, t-test, simple bi-variate logistic regression analysis and followed by multinomial logistic regression analysis approaches were applied.  All data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 version.
Results:  In our present study, we have included 543 patients with DM.  Among 543 DM patients, 231 (42.5%) were male and 312 (57.5%) were female. Most 529 (97.4%) of the participants were in the marital status of others (widow and divorced).  The overall prevalence of DR was 35.4%.   In Chi-Square test, age, hypertension, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), renal disease, anti-DM medication classifications, duration of DM classifications, and GFR classifications were showed significant associations (p<0.05) with the development of DR.  In bi-variate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, longer duration of DM, [OR: 1.68; 95% CI: (1.09 – 2.60), p<0.05], hypertension, [OR: 2.19; 95% CI: (1.21 – 3.96), p<0.05], anti-DM medication classifications, [OR: 2.96; 95% CI: (1.80 – 4.86), p<0.0001], and mild loss kidney function (60 – 89), [OR: 2.96; 95% CI: (1.01 – 7.17), p<0.05] factors were significant associations with the development of DR with p – value < 0.05.
Conclusion:  From this study results, we have revealed that the overall prevalence of DR of the study population was very high.  Long duration of DM, hypertension, anti-DM medication (insulin), mild LOS Kidney function, were prominent risk factors of the progression of DR among diabetic patients.  Hence, immediate action will be needed to reduce the cause of DR in the Saudi population through some awareness programs.