Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:To determine the prevalence of visual impairment its causes within a diabetic group in an elderly group and a control group. Methods:Design: an observation study of a descriptive type. ( Cross–sectional study) Population: 4,691 patients belonging to the Autonomous Community of Extremadura ( South West of Spain).The sample is comprised of sub–groups: diabetics (2,513 patients) the elderly (1,091 subjects) and control group (1,019 patients). Valued Parametres: demographic data ( age, sex) referring to diabetes (type, duration of the disease, age of apparition, current treatment ) associated general diseases ( arterial hypertension, nephropathy, cardiopathy, neuropathy) international classifications of diabetic retinopathy and DMAE are used. Measurement: Visual acuity ( blindness: VA inferir to 1/10 in both eyes ), intra–ocular pressure, anterior segment, eye fundes with 4 photographs per eye. Statistical Analysis: A data base programme–dbase III plus was used, and statistical packages: statistics for windows and spss. Results:The diabetic and elderly population are similar regarding the distribution for age and sex. In the diabetic population the prevalence of visual impairment was of 5.3% of patients and 12.03% of eyes, in the elderly 5.8% and 13.04% and in the control group 1.7% and 5% respectively. In all groups age and arterial Hypertension were influential. In diabetics insulin treatment and the duration of the diabetes also. In the three groups the most common cause of visual impairment was cataract, followed by retinopathy in diabetics due to macular degeneration in the elderly and myopia un the control group. Conclusions:The prevalence of visual impairment is similar in diabetic groups and in the elderly ones, and very superior to in the control population. In every group the most common cause of visual impairment is cataract and retinopathy in diabetics, the DMAE in the elderly and myopia in the control group.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: biostatistics/epidemiology methodology • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment