S Sivaprasad1, H Jackson. 1. West Kent Eye Centre, Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, Kent, UK. senswathi@aol.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Large clinical trials have emphasized that blood pressure control provides a major clinical benefit in reducing the risk of blindness in patients with diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: This audit was carried out to assess the quality of care for hypertension in 100 consecutive type II diabetics with diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: The target blood pressure of 140/80 mmHg was achieved only in 38% of the patients. We also observed that 65% of the patients requiring diabetic macular laser treatment in this cohort had suboptimal control. The factors associated with suboptimal blood pressure control are identified and discussed. CONCLUSION: Despite the unequivocal fact that lowering BP significantly reduces morbidity and mortality in diabetics, the majority of patients are not treated to a goal BP.
BACKGROUND: Large clinical trials have emphasized that blood pressure control provides a major clinical benefit in reducing the risk of blindness in patients with diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: This audit was carried out to assess the quality of care for hypertension in 100 consecutive type II diabetics with diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: The target blood pressure of 140/80 mmHg was achieved only in 38% of the patients. We also observed that 65% of the patients requiring diabetic macular laser treatment in this cohort had suboptimal control. The factors associated with suboptimal blood pressure control are identified and discussed. CONCLUSION: Despite the unequivocal fact that lowering BP significantly reduces morbidity and mortality in diabetics, the majority of patients are not treated to a goal BP.