Integrating diabetic retinopathy detection with noncommunicable disease clinics at government hospitals in Kerala through teleophthalmology

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of integration of the existing noncommunicable disease clinics (NCDC) in government hospitals for early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) using teleophthalmology. Methods: Population-based screening was done in selected c...

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Main Authors: Thomas Cherian, Sanitha Sathyan, K R Reesha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
Series:Kerala Journal of Ophthalmology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.kjophthal.com/article.asp?issn=0976-6677;year=2019;volume=31;issue=2;spage=121;epage=125;aulast=Cherian
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author Thomas Cherian
Sanitha Sathyan
K R Reesha
author_facet Thomas Cherian
Sanitha Sathyan
K R Reesha
author_sort Thomas Cherian
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of integration of the existing noncommunicable disease clinics (NCDC) in government hospitals for early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) using teleophthalmology. Methods: Population-based screening was done in selected clusters of Thrissur district of Kerala, covering the population attending the NCDCs. Trained optometrists screened all the patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), using handheld nonmydriatic fundus camera (Bosch Eye Care Solutions, Finland). Those who required treatment were referred to higher centers. The data were statistically analyzed. Results: Out of the 11,298 patients screened, DR was present among 914 (8.09%) patients. Nonproliferative DR was detected in 727 (80%) and proliferative DR (PDR) in 187 (20%). There was significant association between >10-year duration of DM and occurrence of PDR (P < 0.00001, Chi-square test, odds ratio = 2.76) and between >5-year duration of DM and the occurrence of PDR (P < 0.001, Chi-square test, odds ratio = 2.56). There was significant association between irregular follow-up status for DM at the NCDCs and the occurrence of PDR (P < 0.0001, Chi-square test, odds ratio = 3.4). There was no significant association between age (P = 0.57) and gender (P = 0.08) with follow-up status at NCDCs. Conclusion: Prevalence of DR among DM patients attending NCD clinics of Kerala is 8.09%. There is a significant association between duration of DM, irregular follow-up at NCDCs for DM with the occurrence of PDR. Although DM is routinely treated at the NCDCs of Kerala, DR detection has not received the needed attention. This missing link has to be strengthened.
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spelling doaj.art-dc76ba5863f648549efe2a26d419a5202022-12-22T02:36:46ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsKerala Journal of Ophthalmology0976-66772019-01-0131212112510.4103/kjo.kjo_31_19Integrating diabetic retinopathy detection with noncommunicable disease clinics at government hospitals in Kerala through teleophthalmologyThomas CherianSanitha SathyanK R ReeshaPurpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of integration of the existing noncommunicable disease clinics (NCDC) in government hospitals for early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) using teleophthalmology. Methods: Population-based screening was done in selected clusters of Thrissur district of Kerala, covering the population attending the NCDCs. Trained optometrists screened all the patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), using handheld nonmydriatic fundus camera (Bosch Eye Care Solutions, Finland). Those who required treatment were referred to higher centers. The data were statistically analyzed. Results: Out of the 11,298 patients screened, DR was present among 914 (8.09%) patients. Nonproliferative DR was detected in 727 (80%) and proliferative DR (PDR) in 187 (20%). There was significant association between >10-year duration of DM and occurrence of PDR (P < 0.00001, Chi-square test, odds ratio = 2.76) and between >5-year duration of DM and the occurrence of PDR (P < 0.001, Chi-square test, odds ratio = 2.56). There was significant association between irregular follow-up status for DM at the NCDCs and the occurrence of PDR (P < 0.0001, Chi-square test, odds ratio = 3.4). There was no significant association between age (P = 0.57) and gender (P = 0.08) with follow-up status at NCDCs. Conclusion: Prevalence of DR among DM patients attending NCD clinics of Kerala is 8.09%. There is a significant association between duration of DM, irregular follow-up at NCDCs for DM with the occurrence of PDR. Although DM is routinely treated at the NCDCs of Kerala, DR detection has not received the needed attention. This missing link has to be strengthened.http://www.kjophthal.com/article.asp?issn=0976-6677;year=2019;volume=31;issue=2;spage=121;epage=125;aulast=CherianDiabetic retinopathy screeningfundus photographsIndiaKeralanoncommunicable disease clinics
spellingShingle Thomas Cherian
Sanitha Sathyan
K R Reesha
Integrating diabetic retinopathy detection with noncommunicable disease clinics at government hospitals in Kerala through teleophthalmology
Kerala Journal of Ophthalmology
Diabetic retinopathy screening
fundus photographs
India
Kerala
noncommunicable disease clinics
title Integrating diabetic retinopathy detection with noncommunicable disease clinics at government hospitals in Kerala through teleophthalmology
title_full Integrating diabetic retinopathy detection with noncommunicable disease clinics at government hospitals in Kerala through teleophthalmology
title_fullStr Integrating diabetic retinopathy detection with noncommunicable disease clinics at government hospitals in Kerala through teleophthalmology
title_full_unstemmed Integrating diabetic retinopathy detection with noncommunicable disease clinics at government hospitals in Kerala through teleophthalmology
title_short Integrating diabetic retinopathy detection with noncommunicable disease clinics at government hospitals in Kerala through teleophthalmology
title_sort integrating diabetic retinopathy detection with noncommunicable disease clinics at government hospitals in kerala through teleophthalmology
topic Diabetic retinopathy screening
fundus photographs
India
Kerala
noncommunicable disease clinics
url http://www.kjophthal.com/article.asp?issn=0976-6677;year=2019;volume=31;issue=2;spage=121;epage=125;aulast=Cherian
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AT sanithasathyan integratingdiabeticretinopathydetectionwithnoncommunicablediseaseclinicsatgovernmenthospitalsinkeralathroughteleophthalmology
AT krreesha integratingdiabeticretinopathydetectionwithnoncommunicablediseaseclinicsatgovernmenthospitalsinkeralathroughteleophthalmology