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Prospective comparison of two methods of screening for diabetic retinopathy by nonmydriatic fundus camera
Pedro Romero-Aroca1, Ramon Sagarra-Alamo, Josep Basora-Gallisa
1Ophthalmology Service, Hospital Universitario Sant Joan, IISPV, Universidad Rovira I Virgili, Reus, Spain. promero@grupsagessa.com
Purpose:
To compare the results obtained by two screening techniques for diabetic retinopathy.
Methods:
Patients were assessed in two groups, according to whether the retinal images were analyzed by the general practitioner (Group 1) or by the ophthalmologist (Group 2) in a two-year prospective study using telemedicine.
Results:
The number of patients referred to the nonmydriatic fundus camera unit was higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (63.80% versus 17.63%). Greater patient adherence was observed in Group 1 than in Group 2 when patients came to retinography (98.25% versus 87.52%). There were no significant differences in other technique variables. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was similar in both groups (8.98% in Group 1 and 9.16% in Group 2), but the prevalence of severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy was higher in Group 2 (1.69% [severe] and 0.45% [proliferative]) than in Group 1 (1.01% and 0.11%, respectively). Diabetic macular edema was more prevalent in Group 2 (2.03%).
Conclusions:
The inclusion of general practitioners in the screening method seems to be important. A great number of patients with diabetes mellitus were screened, and a higher percentage of patients with diabetic retinopathy or macular edema were detected.
