Publication:

Screening for retinopathy, risk factors, adherence to treatment and complications among diabetic and hypertensive individuals attending a primary care centre in Puducherry, India

Background The increasing prevalence and incidence of diabetes and hypertension with increasing age and adult age group are at high risk of developing diabetic and hypertensive retinopathies.

Methods The study was conducted in a rural area of Puducherry, data collection was carried over a period of six months. Self-reported patients of diabetes and hypertension were included in the study and predesigned questionnaire was used to collect the information about socio-demographic details, risk factors, physical activity, history related to DM/HTN and history of fundus examination.

Results Majority of patients screened for diabetes 56% and hypertension 47% was by government hospital. The proportion of diabetics and hypertensives who had undergone fundus examination to rule out diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy was found to be 29.3% (12) and 14.5% (10). Complications such as neuropathy and retinopathy were given by 36.5% (15) and 2.4% (1) of diabetic patients Two third of the patients 64.1% had sedentary life style.

Conclusions Health care providers need to plan for larger coverage of fundus examination among diabetic and hypertensive patients.