[Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in patients affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus in the city of Luzerna--SC].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in patients affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus in the city of Luzerna (SC).
METHODS: Cross-sectional study including all individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, all ages, both genders, residents in the city of Luzerna. The work analyzed database of 5,350 people from two Family Health Programs, where all city residents are registered. A total of 136 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus were encountered and 120 completed data gathering to the end, resulting in an inclusion rate of 89%. All patients underwent ophthalmologic examination for diagnosis of retinopathy and visual acuity examination. Patients underwent a household questionnaire to evaluate the demographic profile, duration of disease and type of treatment performed. The presence of risk factors for diabetic retinopathy: hypercholesterolemia, fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and hypertension were also assessed.
RESULTS: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 38.4% in the studied population. Moreover, a direct relationship was established between diabetic retinopathy and diabetes mellitus evolution time (p<0.0001), renal damage (p<0.0001), insulin use (p<0.0001) and glycosylated hemoglobin change (p=0.003). There was no correlation between diabetic retinopathy and hypertension (p=0.184), hypercholesterolemia (LDL p=0.745, TGC=0.163, CT=0.528), gender (p=0.299) and origin (p=0.889).
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy found among the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was of 38.4%. This result confirms the need for greater attention by public services in prevention and counseling patients with type 2 diabetes, in order to achieve early diagnosis and disease prevention.