Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic Retinopathy is most feared eye complications among diabetic patients. Its difficulty to treat and asymptomatic until the end stage, making it the most threatening condition. Therefore, determining the prevalence of retinopathy and identifying possible risk factors associated with it among predisposed population is very crucial. So, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of retinopathy and factors associated with the disease among diabetic patients in Asmara, Eritrea.

Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted at Biet-mekae community Hospital from September 2018 to April 2019. A standard questionnaire was used to capture data about the demographic, anthropometry and medical conditions of study participants. Visual acuity, degree of retinopathy, blood pressure measurement and lipid profile of participants were recorded in a checklist. Double data entry was done to maintain data quality and analysis was done using SPSS Version 26. Descriptive statistics were displayed using tables and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify variables significantly associated with the presence of Diabetic retinopathy.

Result: The prevalence of retinopathy among diabetic patients was 41%. The mean age of respondents was 57+13. More females than males were affected by diabetic retinopathy (60.8% versus 39.2%). In the inferential statistics age, years lived with diabetes, triglyceride levels, and exercise time were significant predictors of diabetic retinopathy.

Discussion: A high prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients was identified in this study. The results of inferential statistics were congruent with the findings of other studies. The odds of diabetic retinopathy increase with the progression of age and years lived with diabetes mellitus. Triglycerides level above 200 are also a significant predictor of DR. similar finding was reported in Ethiopia, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and, Sudan. Routine health education about the management of diabetes and retinopathy would help to reduce the risk of retinopathy among diabetic patients. Further research using a fundas camera is needed to assess the prevalence and factors that drive the occurrence of retinopathy among the diabetic population in Eritrea.