Abstract
Background: Robust integration of diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening within health systems is essential to prevent DR-related blindness. This, however, remains a challenge in the developing world. The aim of this study was to evaluate two models of DR screening programs within rural general health-care services. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective observational study from two rural health centers. Demographic and clinical data of patients completing DR screening were analyzed. Patients were screened in regular ophthalmology clinics (ROC) or integrated diabetic clinics (IDC). Referral and treatment completion data were retrieved from the clinical charts at the base hospital. Results: A total of 2535 DR screenings were conducted for 2296 patients. The total population prevalence for any DR was 14.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.8%-15.6%) and vision-threatening DR (VTDR) was 4.7% (95% CI: 3.8%-5.6%). In the ROC and IDC groups, respectively, the prevalence of any DR was 20.4% and 8.2%, VTDR, 7.8% and 1.7%, and blindness, 1.4% and 0.4% (all P < 0.001). Referral completion rates were higher in the ROC group (44.8% vs. 25.2%, P < 0.001), while treatment completion in both was similar (69.6% vs. 70.6%). Referral and treatment completion rates for referable DR were 61.2% and 48.2%, and for VTDR, 62% and 38.8%, respectively. Only 11.45% of patients completed the repeat screening follow-up. Conclusions: Patients attending IDCs had a significantly lower prevalence of any DR, VTDR, and blindness demonstrating the advantages of integrated diabetic care in a rural setting. However, referral uptake and DR treatment completion need strengthening.
Keywords
Publication details
- DOI
- 10.4103/ojo.ojo_195_22
- Journal
- Oman Journal of Ophthalmology, 16(2), 237-243
- Publisher
- Medknow Publications
- Open access
- Gold open access
Cite this article
APA 7
Amritanand, A., Arthur, A., Horo, S., Obed, P., Ramamurthy, P., Rebekah, G., Abraham, V. J., & Paul, P. (2023). Comparative evaluation of diabetic retinopathy screening programs in regular ophthalmology clinics versus integrated diabetic clinics within rural health-care services. Oman Journal of Ophthalmology, 16(2), 237-243. https://doi.org/10.4103/ojo.ojo_195_22
MLA 9
Amritanand, Anika, et al. "Comparative evaluation of diabetic retinopathy screening programs in regular ophthalmology clinics versus integrated diabetic clinics within rural health-care services." Oman Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 16, no. 2, 2023, pp. 237-243. https://doi.org/10.4103/ojo.ojo_195_22.
Chicago (author–date)
Amritanand, Anika, Anupriya Arthur, Saban Horo, Prathibha Obed, Prashanth Ramamurthy, Grace Rebekah, Vinod Joseph Abraham, and Padma Paul. 2023. "Comparative evaluation of diabetic retinopathy screening programs in regular ophthalmology clinics versus integrated diabetic clinics within rural health-care services." Oman Journal of Ophthalmology 16 (2): 237-243. https://doi.org/10.4103/ojo.ojo_195_22.
Harvard
Amritanand, A., Arthur, A., Horo, S., Obed, P., Ramamurthy, P., Rebekah, G., Abraham, V. J. and Paul, P. (2023) 'Comparative evaluation of diabetic retinopathy screening programs in regular ophthalmology clinics versus integrated diabetic clinics within rural health-care services', Oman Journal of Ophthalmology, 16(2), pp. 237-243. doi:10.4103/ojo.ojo_195_22.
Vancouver
Amritanand A, Arthur A, Horo S, Obed P, Ramamurthy P, Rebekah G, et al. Comparative evaluation of diabetic retinopathy screening programs in regular ophthalmology clinics versus integrated diabetic clinics within rural health-care services. Oman Journal of Ophthalmology. 2023;16(2):237-243. doi:10.4103/ojo.ojo_195_22
IEEE
A. Amritanand, A. Arthur, S. Horo, P. Obed, P. Ramamurthy, G. Rebekah, V. J. Abraham, and P. Paul, "Comparative evaluation of diabetic retinopathy screening programs in regular ophthalmology clinics versus integrated diabetic clinics within rural health-care services," Oman Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 237-243, 2023, doi: 10.4103/ojo.ojo_195_22.