Periodic Blood Glucose Test and Its Relationship with Diabetic Retinopathy among Patients with Diabetes in a Tertiary Ophthalmic Centre

Aim: To assess the awareness of periodic blood glucose test and its relationship with diabetic retinopathy among adult diabetic patients attending a tertiary ophthalmic centre.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Alexandra Hospital, between January and February 2007.

Methodology: An interviewer-administered survey was administered to 506 participants with diabetes mellitus, aged 23 to 88 years old (mean: 62.1 years).

Results: Only 296 (58.5%) participants were aware of the relationship between periodic blood glucose test and diabetic retinopathy. Participants who were Indians (p=.01) or had a highest education level of primary school (p=.04) were less aware. However, participants with higher education had higher awareness (p=.01). The age- and gender-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of having diabetic retinopathy was 0.54 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.38-0.78, p=.001). On multivariate adjustment, results remained statistically significant (OR: 0.49, CI: 0.31-0.77, p=.002).

Conclusion: Periodic blood glucose test awareness is lower in Indians and those who were less educated. Participants were who aware of periodic blood glucose test were less likely to have diabetic retinopathy.