Prevalence and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy in Saudi Diabetics in Majmaah City

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common complication of DM and it is the leading cause of blindness in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Aims The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of DR in patients with type II DM in Al Majmaah City, Saudi Arabia. Methods We conducted this cross-sectional study from February 2014 until May 2015. Out of the 1546 diabetic patients registered in the primary care centres of Majmaah city, a random sample of 327 patients were selected. An expert ophthalmologist took a detailed history and performed ophthalmic examination on all patients. Mean +/- S.D was measured for quantitative variables. Frequencies and percentages were given for qualitative variables. Logistic regression was applied to associate DR with alleged risk factors. Results The prevalence of DR among the study group was 35.8 per cent. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy was prevalent in 31.8 per cent cases. We tested the association between DR and various risk factors. We found that patients, who develop DM when they were between 40 and 60 years, have more chance to develop DR. Conclusion DR is affecting more than one third of diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia. There is an urgent need to establish and promote national screening and management programs for DR. Delaying the onset of DM after the age of 60 may help to lessen that problem.