A study conducted at the University Hospital of Assuit, Egypt, assessed the level of knowledge of patients, particularly older ones, about the diabetic retinopathy (DR), one of the leading causes of blindness globally.
The study revealed not only a lack of awareness of diabetic pathology in general, but also the lack of information on the link between diabetes and the onset of DR.
Diabetes and eye-related symptoms
The diabetes Type 2 mellitus is, as is well known, a very common disease that threatens the health of the patient suffering from it, seriously compromising their quality of life.
In fact, inadequately controlled diabetes can lead to the development of countless complicationssuch as nephropathies and neuropathies, metabolic disorders, as well as micro-vascular complications such as RD .
The initial stages of DR, are often asymptomatic, which is why the patient often turns to the specialist only at the appearance of the first symptoms, such as vision of dark spots and reduced visual acuity.
Preventing diabetic retinopathy with information
The study, published on Dove Press Journalwas conducted on 200 diabetic patients with an average age of 63 years who were administered a initial test, in the form of an interview. In particular, the test was aimed at collecting information, such as the socio-demographic data and habits of the patients, useful for investigating their knowledge of DR, their regular check-ups and their familiarity with diabetes and other related chronic diseases.
The results of the study showed that only 11.1% of the respondents measured their glycaemic level regularly and that about 35% had eye examinations every yeara rather low percentage. In addition, the lowest scores were recorded among the illiterate population and patients living in isolated settings.
The study also aimed to highlight the importance of offering patients information programmes on diabetes and its possible consequences. Patients, therefore, were invited to attend educational meetings on diabetes, DR, initial symptoms, risk factors and the importance of prevention.
After attending these meetings, patients were subjected to a second questionnairereporting significantly better disease knowledge scores. Therefore, from what has been reported, the crucial role that adequate information can play in the prevention of DR.
For those who suffer from diabetes, therefore, it is important to keep up to date by following the main information and screening campaigns on the disease and to undergo regular eyesight checks, even in the absence of symptoms. Seeing the specialist too late can mean delaying the moment of diagnosis and reducing the possibility of intervening quickly with an appropriate therapy to avoid the onset of severe complications such as diabetes.diabetic macular oedema (EMD).
Greater knowledge of this disease, therefore, and its link with diabetes mellitus, is a fundamental tool of prevention.
Source
Khalaf et al. Does a diabetic retinopathy educational programme raise awareness among elderly diabetic patients? Dove Press Journal, 2019; 12:1867-1875.
Dr. Carmelo Chines
Direttore responsabile
English 
Italian