Relationship between awareness of diabetic retinopathy and hba1c level among adult diabetic patients in saudi arabia.

Abstract

Aim: this study was carried out to determine the relation between Level of HbA1c and general awareness of diabetic retinopathy amongst diabetic patients attending the outpatient diabetes clinic of King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah. Method: A hospital-based, cross- sectional study of 270 diabetic patients in the age range of 20-80 years, attending the twice- weekly diabetic clinic of King Abdulaziz University Hospital over a period of one month. A pre- tested questionnaire was distributed on all participated diabetic patients. The questionnaire was verbally translated to the Arabic language so as to ensure the patient fully understood each question. The questionnaire contained information on patient personal data, educational background, duration and family history of diabetes, and medical history of high blood pressure. The second part of the questionnaire contained questions to determine awareness of retinopathy, source of information on this awareness, and a history of retinopathy screening. Data obtained was analyzed using frequencies, T test, chi-square test, and bivarate correlation. Statistical software used for data analysis was the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) for windows version 16.0. Results: we found that 174 patients (64.4%) were aware of diabetic retinopathy and 85.5% knew it could lead to blindness, but only 54 patients (20%) have ever had screening for retinopathy. There was significantly greater awareness among patients with younger age (P > 0.001). After adjusting for all other factors, higher education level, younger age, and longer duration of diabetes were significantly associated with greater awareness of diabetic retinopathy and lower level of HA1c. The odds of HbA1c level increased by 4% with every increase in age by 1 year (P < 0.001), and decreased by 5% with every decrease in the duration of diabetes by 1 year. However, higher education level and being cared for by endocrinologists translates into more awareness (P < 0.001). With each increase in the number of questions answered correctly about retinopathy, HbA1c level decreased by 0.93 %. Thus, more resources should be channeled toward increasing the awareness retinopathy to improve glycemic control and reduce the complications of diabetes.