[Epidemiology and regional differences of diabetic retinopathy in Pernambuco, Brazil]

To evaluate the prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy among patients cared for in a screening program in Pernambuco, Brazil, comparing regional differences between urban and rural zones.

The charts of 2,223 diabetic patients (1,568 females and 655 males; mean age 59.3 +/- 12.0 years; mean duration of diabetes 8.1 +/- 6.3 years) that took part in a screening program for diabetic retinopathy at Altino Ventura Foundation from June 2004 to June 2005 were reviewed for the presence of the disease. Patients were divided into two groups: group I, patients living in Recife and the metropolitan area; group II, patients living in the interior of Pernambuco state.

In group I, 477 (24.2%) patients had diabetic retinophathy, while in group II, 89 (39.4%) patients (p<0.0001). The frequency of proliferative diabetic retinophathy, macular edema, vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment was higher in group II patients (p<0.05).

Patients living in the interior of Pernambuco state have a higher incidence of diabetic retinophathy and the advanced forms than patients living in Recife and the metropolitan area when examined in a screening program for diabetic retinopathy at the Altino Ventura Foundation. Telemedicine and descentralization actions are recommended for improvement of screening quality in patients living in the interior of Pernambuco state.