Study shows prevalence of diabetic retinopathy at 40 years and older

JAMA. 2010;304(6):649-656.

Diabetic retinopathy is highly prevalent among diabetic adults in the United States, particularly among men and non-Hispanic black individuals, a large national study found.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, evaluated a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of 1,006 diabetic adults aged 40 years and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2005 and 2008.

"The prevalence of diabetes in the United States has increased," the authors said. "People with diabetes are at risk of diabetic retinopathy. No recent national population-based estimate of the prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy exists."

Results showed that the overall estimated prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 28.5% among U.S. adults with diabetes. The estimated prevalence of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy was 4.4%.

The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 31.6% among diabetic men and 25.7% among diabetic women.

Crude prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 38.8% among non-Hispanic black subjects and 26.4% among non-Hispanic white subjects. Crude prevalence of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy was 9.3% among non-Hispanic black subjects and 3.2% among non-Hispanic white subjects, the authors reported.

Data showed a strong correlation between male gender and presence of diabetic retinopathy, higher glycated hemoglobin level, duration of diabetes, insulin use and higher systolic blood pressure.

In a statement issued yesterday, the American Academy of Ophthalmology registered official agreement with the study results.

"As this study concludes, the U.S. will likely face a growing need for diabetes-related eye care, and particularly for new care models that address limited access and other disparities linked to higher diabetic retinopathy in minority populations," the AAO statement said.

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