Prevalence, clinical profile, and factors associated with diabetic retinopathy in south-Western Uganda: A population-based study

Abstract

Background: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), and it is a leading cause of vision loss in the working-age population globally.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of DR at a population level, the clinical profile, and the factors associated with DR in Southwestern Uganda.
Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data generated by a large-scale four-year community screening program through the “Lions Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Treatment Project for Southwestern Uganda.” Patients with known DM underwent DR screening, and fundus photography was performed on all patients. An ophthalmologist subsequently graded these photographs. Patients with gradable fundus images were included for analysis.
Results: Of the 1,515 diabetic patients who were screened, 1,120 were considered for analysis. The majority were female and had a family history of DM. The overall prevalence of DR was 15.1% (95% CI, 11.9 - 18.9), of which 63% had referable DR and 20.2% had sight-threatening DR. Factors associated with any DR were: duration of DM (AOR 2.1 [95% CI 1.3- 3.5]), poor glycemic control (AOR 1.9 [95% CI 1.2 - 3.0]), and hypertension (AOR 2.0 [95% CI 1.3-3.4]).
Conclusion: This study has provided the baseline prevalence of DR in Southwestern Uganda and the proportion of sight-threatening DR that can be used for planning service delivery in the region.