ABSTRACT

We aimed to determine the diabetic retinopathy prevalence and risk factors among diabetic population in Turkey in this study. This multicenter, cross-sectional prevalence study was started by the preliminary decision of 1996-1998 officials of the Medical Retina Division of The Turkish Ophthalmologic Society and held in 14 different centers in the year of 2000. Data from those centers were collected at the Department of Ophtalmology of Gülhane Military Medical Academy, and analytic and statistical studies were performed. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 30.5% in 2362 patients included in the study. It was 31.2% in 215 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, 27.7% in 47 patients with noninsulin- dependent diabetes mellitus for the patients diagnosed before the age of 30, 50.5% in 560 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, 22.7% in 1480 patients with noninsulin- dependent diabetes mellitus for the patients diagnosed after the age of 30. Duration of diabetes and male gender were significant risk factors for the development of diabetic retinopathy in patients diagnosed before the age of 30. Duration of diabetes, male gender and low body mass index were significant risk factors for the development of diabetic retinopathy in patients diagnosed after the age of 30. Retinal examination should be planned and performed on the basis of patient age and other risk factors in the coordination with endocrinology and internal medicine clinics. More detailed multicenter studies should be performed with larger populations to have more definite results.