Epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy in Oman: Two decades of research

Analytical Data Review to Determine the Factors Impacting Risk of Diabetes in North Al-Batinah Region, Oman

Diabetes is one of the most widespread diseases resulting in an increase in mortality rate, and negatively affecting Oman’s economy. In 2019, an estimated 1.5 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes world health organization (WHO). The total number of diabetes cases among Omanis aged between 20 and 79 in 2015 is about 128,769, which increased in 2020 to 149,195. However, the total forecast number of diabetes cases will double in 2050 to 352,156. The healthcare spend on diabetes is 16.6%, which has triggered the need for the study. This research aims to review and analyze the prevailing situation around diabetes in Oman and its risk factors using multilinear regression tests, ANOVA, and descriptive analysis. Two hundred and fourteen samples were collected through a well-defined questionnaire using the purposive sampling technique. The study’s empirical results reveal that females, who were 79% of the respondents, have at least one of their family members as a diabetes patient; 41% of the respondents were affected by Type-2 (T2-DM) diabetes, and 38% were unaware of their type of diabetes. While, 91% of them were undergoing medication. The study indicates the risk factors that impact the diabetes number and type in North Oman, which include Aage with a rate of (0.595), followed by family history (0.560), smoking habits (0.530), and being overweight (0.435). Age plays an important role in the type of diabetes of the patients, and the types of diabetes impacts medication type. The type of diabetes has influenced the frequency of diabetes patients’ self-testing at home. Overall, 92% were rushed to the hospital or took medication immediately in case of a considerable variation in the readings; and 68% of the respondents complained that visiting the hospital is a costly affair and the health service is deteriorating.

Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy in Oman: A Two Decade National Study

OBJECTIVES

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the major chronic diseases with a world prevalence of 8.5%. Oman has shown a consistent rise in the prevalence of DM, reaching 14.5% in 2017. A major complication of DM is diabetic retinopathy (DR). There is limited information available about the prevalence of DR and its subtypes in Oman. This is the largest national study conducted to determine the prevalence of DR and its subtypes in Oman.

METHODS

We extracted the records of 2000 Omani patients with DM and retrospectively screened for DR, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) reported between 2000 and 2017. The sample included patients from 79 medical centers from all governorates of Oman. A total of 616 patients were included in the study. We investigated the prevalence of DR among both genders and different age groups. We studied the association between the progression of DM into DR.

RESULTS

The prevalence of DR, NPDR, and PDR within patients diagnosed with DM was 19.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 16.2-22.5), 8.6% (95% CI: 6.6-11.1), and 1.3% (95% CI: 0.7-2.5), respectively. Moreover, females have shown a higher prevalence of any DR, compromising 60.2% of all patients diagnosed with DR, 62.3% of all NPDR patients, and 75.0% of all PDR patients. However, there was no significant association between sex and DR (p = 0.840). There was a significant association between having DM for 10 years and DR (p = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of DR increased from 14.3% in 2003 to 19.3% in 2017. Effective health policies and screening programs should be employed to control the increased prevalence of DM and DR.

Diabetic patients’ awareness regarding diabetes mellitus and its ocular complications at the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa

Introduction: Globally, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity is rapidly increasing. DM and, consequently, diabetic retinopathy (DR) are serious issues that all countries around the world are facing. This study originated from a need to assess whether diabetic patients at the Outpatient Department at the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein have knowledge about their disease and are aware of the possible ocular complications.Methods: A descriptive study on a single group of participants was conducted at the Outpatient Department at National District Hospital in Bloemfontein. Non-random judgemental sampling was used to select participants who were diagnosed with diabetes. All participants were above the age of 18 and gave signed consent after reading through the information document provided.Results: The participants (n = 70) were mainly women (72%) and elderly (> 40 years). Age groups represented were 40 years (7.1%), 40–49 years (12.9%), 50–59 years (32.9%), 60–69 years (28.6%) and ≥ 70 years (18.56%). Almost 82% of the participants were aware that DM can cause blindness and 85.7% were aware of cataracts as a possible complication of DM. Almost half (47.1%) were not aware that DM can cause DR and more than half (52.9%) were unaware that DM can cause increased intraocular pressure (IOP).Conclusion: These results highlight the need for further education of diabetic patients regarding the relationship between DM and the ocular complications.