Sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy and its predictors among patients with diabetes visiting Adare General Hospital in Southern Ethiopia: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy and its predictors among patients with diabetes attending Adare General Hospital in Southern Ethiopia.

Design: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a systematic random sampling method.

Setting: The study was conducted at the diabetic clinic of Adare General Hospital in Sidama region, Southern Ethiopia.

Participants: The study included 391 patients with diabetes aged ≥18 years who had attended the diabetic clinic of Adare General Hospital in Southern Ethiopia.

Main Outcome Measures: Data were collected using questionnaires completed by an interviewer, a review of medical records and eye examinations.

Result: The study included 391 patients with diabetes with a median age of 49 years. The prevalence of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy was 10.7% (95% CI: 7.7% to 14%). Rural dwellers (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.17, 95% CI: 1.05 to 4.46), duration of diabetes ≥6 years (AOR=2.43, 95% CI: 1.06 to 5.57), poor glycaemic control (AOR=2.80, 95% CI: 1.03 to 7.64), low physical activity (AOR=2.85, 95% CI: 1.01 to 8.05), hypertension (AOR=3.25, 95% CI: 1.48 to 7.15) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (AOR=3.32, 95% CI: 1.18 to 9.33) were significantly associated with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy.

Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy. Sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy was significantly associated with modified factors such as glycaemic control, hypertension, physical activity and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Therefore, all patients with diabetes were recommended to maintain normal blood glucose, avoid hypertension, exercise regularly and have regular eye examinations.