Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy in Diabetic Subjects Visiting Diabetic Centers of Lahore, Pakistan

One of the chronic illnesses with the highest rate of growth in the globe and a major contributor to acquired visual loss is diabetes mellitus (DM). Globally, diabetic retinopathy (DR), a particular microvascular consequence of DM, continues to be the primary cause of acquired visual loss. Objective: To ascertain the percentage prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in diabetic subjects and the relationship between diabetic retinopathy and potential risk factors. Methods: This study was conducted at Services Hospital, Lahore. The time duration of study was from November 2018 to June 2019. The patients were asked to fill a designed questionnaire which contained questions regarding patient’s demographic data, habits and history about the disease. Results: A total of 1000 diabetic patients were enrolled and among them 511 (51.1%) had diabetic retinopathy. Among 369 males, 173 (46.9%) males had diabetic retinopathy and among 631 females, 338 (53.6%) females had diabetic retinopathy. The mean age of studied population was 53.77±0.35 years. Logistic regression model indicated that age (years), gender, systolic blood pressure (mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (mmHg), HbA1c level (mmol/L), span of diabetes (years), family history of diabetes, sedentary lifestyle were the risk factors for incidence of diabetic retinopathy in this study. Conclusions: The occurrence of DR is high in the studied population. Age (years), span of diabetes (years), HbA1c level (mmol/L) and not doing exercise were seen to be exhibiting more important role towards the development of diabetic retinopathy.