Diabetic retinopathy, visual impairment and ocular status among patients with diabetes mellitus in Yemen: a hospital-based study.

Background: We present a series of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) who attended an eye hospital in Sana, Yemen during 2004.

Aim: To determine the magnitude and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Materials And Methods: Ophthalmologists assessed vision, ocular pressure, ocular media and posterior segment to note ocular manifestations among patients with DM. DR was graded by using bio-microscope and Volk lens. The prevalence and 95% confidence interval of ocular complications of DM were calculated. Risk factors of DR like age, sex, duration of diabetes and hypertension were evaluated.

Statistical Analysis: Univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results: Our series comprised 350 patients suffering from DM. The duration of diabetes was > or =15 years in 101 (29%) patients. Physician was treating 108 DM patients with insulin. The prevalence of DR was 55% (95% CI 49.6-60.1). The proportions of background diabetic retinopathy (BDR), preproliferative diabetic retinopathy (PPDR), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and diabetic macular edema were 20%, 13%, 17% and 22% respectively. The prevalence of blindness among DM patients was 16%. The prevalence of cataract and glaucoma was 34.3% and 8.6%. Duration of DM was the predictor of DR. One-fifth of the patients had sight-threatening DR and needed laser treatment.

Conclusions: DR was of public health magnitude among our patients. An organized approach is recommended to address DR in the study area.