Risk Factors and Outcomes of Delayed Presentation of Diabetic Retinopathy Patients to a County Hospital

To identify risk factors and evaluate outcomes of patients with delayed presentation and advanced diabetic retinopathy in our safety-net county hospital population.

A retrospective study was performed on 562 patients who presented with a new diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Delayed presentation was defined as moderate or severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) at the initial visit. Comparisons between patient groups were performed with chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and multinomial logistic regression for multivariable analysis. Linear and logistic regression modeling with general estimating equations to account for patients having two eyes was used to compare eye-level outcomes.

Lack of a primary care provider (PCP) was highest in patients who presented initially with PDR (28.8%), compared to 14.3% in moderate/severe NPDR, 12.4% in mild NPDR, and 7.6% in no DR groups (P < 0.001). Only 69.4% of patients with a PCP had an ophthalmology screening referral. Highest lack of referral (47.2%) was seen in the PDR group (P = 0.002). Patients with PDR were more likely to be uninsured (19.2%) compared to no and mild DR groups, with rates of 7.6% and 9.0%, respectively (P = 0.001). The PDR group had worse initial and final visual acuities (P < 0.001).

Several risk factors were noted for delayed DR presentation, including lack of PCP, lack of screening referral, and uninsured/underinsured status. Patients with advanced DR at presentation had worse final visual outcomes despite aggressive treatment.

Screening programs targeting populations with identified risk factors are essential for improving outcomes.