OBJECTIVE: To identify the underlying reasons for noncompliance among Chinese patients undergoing laser photocoagulation treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 262 patients with DR with indications for panretinal photocoagulation and focal laser treatment were recruited. METHODS: Those who did not complete the prescribed laser treatment were categorized into 2 types of defaulters: Type 1 defaulters were those who did not initiate laser treatment as scheduled; type 2 defaulters were those who did not complete the entire laser sessions, including terminating midterm or defaulting prompt supplement of laser treatment. A standardized questionnaire was given to the 2 types of defaulters to collect information about the reasons for noncompliance. Data were analyzed and subjected to χ(2) test or Fisher exact statistical tests. RESULTS: The noncompliance rate was 45.5%, which is significantly greater than some developed countries. Unawareness of the necessity for treatment and unawareness of the importance to complete treatment were 2 main reasons leading to noncompliance, representing 28.8% and 36.0%, respectively. Unawareness of the necessity for treatment and fear of laser treatment were more important for type 1 defaulters (29 vs 6 and 11 vs 0, respectively), whereas unawareness of completeness of laser treatment was overweighed in type 2 defaulters (27 vs 13 patients; all P<0.01). These results were likely related to the lack of knowledge about the potential consequences of DR, the underlying principle of laser treatment, and panretinal photocoagulation procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Developing appropriate education programs targeting specific reasons will help to improve the compliance in patients with DR.
OBJECTIVE: To identify the underlying reasons for noncompliance among Chinese patients undergoing laser photocoagulation treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 262 patients with DR with indications for panretinal photocoagulation and focal laser treatment were recruited. METHODS: Those who did not complete the prescribed laser treatment were categorized into 2 types of defaulters: Type 1 defaulters were those who did not initiate laser treatment as scheduled; type 2 defaulters were those who did not complete the entire laser sessions, including terminating midterm or defaulting prompt supplement of laser treatment. A standardized questionnaire was given to the 2 types of defaulters to collect information about the reasons for noncompliance. Data were analyzed and subjected to χ(2) test or Fisher exact statistical tests. RESULTS: The noncompliance rate was 45.5%, which is significantly greater than some developed countries. Unawareness of the necessity for treatment and unawareness of the importance to complete treatment were 2 main reasons leading to noncompliance, representing 28.8% and 36.0%, respectively. Unawareness of the necessity for treatment and fear of laser treatment were more important for type 1 defaulters (29 vs 6 and 11 vs 0, respectively), whereas unawareness of completeness of laser treatment was overweighed in type 2 defaulters (27 vs 13 patients; all P<0.01). These results were likely related to the lack of knowledge about the potential consequences of DR, the underlying principle of laser treatment, and panretinal photocoagulation procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Developing appropriate education programs targeting specific reasons will help to improve the compliance in patients with DR.
Authors: Donald S Fong; Lloyd Aiello; Thomas W Gardner; George L King; George Blankenship; Jerry D Cavallerano; Fredrick L Ferris; Ronald Klein Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2004-01 Impact factor: 19.112
Authors: David J Browning; Adam R Glassman; Lloyd Paul Aiello; Roy W Beck; David M Brown; Donald S Fong; Neil M Bressler; Ronald P Danis; James L Kinyoun; Quan Dong Nguyen; Abdhish R Bhavsar; Justin Gottlieb; Dante J Pieramici; Michael E Rauser; Rajendra S Apte; Jennifer I Lim; Päivi H Miskala Journal: Ophthalmology Date: 2006-11-21 Impact factor: 12.079
Authors: Xuanping Zhang; Susan L Norris; Jinan Saadine; Farah M Chowdhury; Tanya Horsley; Sanjat Kanjilal; Carol M Mangione; Ralf Buhrmann Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2007-10 Impact factor: 5.043