Revalence, Risk Factors and Stage of Diabetic Retinopathy Among Patients Attending the Medical Clinic at Juba Teaching Hospital, South Sudan

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is considerable cause of morbidity and mortality that is associated with microvascular complications resulting in, blindness, kidney failure, neuropathy, amputations, heart disease, and stroke. Diabetic Retinopathy is a serious microvascular complication of diabetes that can ultimately lead to blindness. The prevalence and pattern of DR in Juba is not known. Objective: To determine the prevalence, risks factors and Stage of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients attending the medical clinic at Juba Teaching Hospital, South Sudan. Study Design: A hospital based cross sectional study. Study Population: All diabetic patients attending the medical clinic at Juba Teaching Hospital during the study period. Study Period: A total of 147 patients were examined at Juba TH from 15th October to 15th November 2016. Method: We performed dilated funduscopy using indirect ophthalmoscope with 20D lens, followed by slit lamp examination with 78D lens and entered findings in a questionnaire using ETDRS grading for DR. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 20. Confidence level was taken as 95% (p <0.05) where applicable. Results: The M: F ratio of patients with DM was 1:1.1 Type II diabetes 96.6%) was more common than type I diabetes (3.4%). Most (81%) of the patients examined did not have retinopathy; diabetic retinopathy was present in 19.0% of the 147 patients evaluated. Patients xiv with retinopathy had a higher mean age (55) compared to those without DR. The most prevalent type of DR was mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (60.7%).There was a statistically significant higher presence of retinopathy in those with longer duration of diabetes (p 0.000). We found that the prevalent of DR was 19%. Recommendations: Screening for diabetic retinopathy and follow-up upon diagnosis of diabetes is recommended. Awareness campaigns may improve follow-up and primary prevention for patients with DR; ideal comprehensive diabetic center at JTH should incorporate counseling and include an adequate number of physicians and ophthalmologists.