The current situation of ophthalmologic examination and treatment of diabetic patients in a community of Fushun

Objective To investigate the attainment of therapeutic targets for glycosylated hemoglobin and blood pressure, ophthalmologic examination, diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods A cross-sectional study in type 2 diabetic patients was conducted in a community of Fushun between July 2012 and May 2013. Questionnaire, detailed ophthalmic examination and laboratory tests were completed to collect the information about sociodemographic and healthcare characteristics. Results A total of 2 033 eligible patients with complete information were screened from 2 224 type 2 diabetic patients. Of them, the control rates of glycosylated hemoglobin(<7.0%), blood pressure[<140/80 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)] and serum lipid were 39.7%, 31.0% and 2.6%, respectively. Only 22.3% of the participants had ophthalmologic examination after the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and 72.2% of the participants in the study reported never receiving any recommendation for eye examinations from their physicians. The prevalence of DR was 44.3% in the study population, 27.1% receiving ophthalmologic examination ever. Among them, 213 patients had vision-threatening DR and required laser treatment or vitreous surgery, but 82.2% had not been treated. Conclusions The investigation of the type 2 diabetic patients in a community of Fushun indicated that more than 60% of patients did not attain therapeutic targets for glycosylated hemoglobin, and 70% for blood pressure; 78% had not received ophthalmologic examination after the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus; 82% of vision-threatening DR patients had not been treated. Educational efforts should be aimed at improving knowledge of and compliance with these guidelines among both internists and eye care providers. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 599-604) Key words: Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Diabetic retinopathy; Blood glucose; Blood pressure; Community health services