Incidencia y progresión de la retinopatía diabética en población de nivel socioeconómico bajo de la Ciudad de México / Incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy in low income population of Mexico city

La retinopatía diabética es de las principales causas de ceguera prevenible en población económicamente activa. La diabetes mellitus afecta frecuentemente a la población mexicana, la retinopatía diabética como complicación microvascular también es frecuente y adquiere formas clínicas más severas cuando se ha comparado con otras poblaciones. No existe ningún estudio de incidencia de esta complicación diabética en nuestro país. En esta investigación, se informa la incidencia y progresión a cuatro años de la retinopatía diabética en una cohorte de pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 habitantes de seis colonias de bajos recursos de la ciudad de México. En la fase de seguimiento, a cuatro años se logró examinar a 164 (76.6 por ciento) del total de la población estudiada en fase inicial, 63 hombres y 101 mujeres. A todos se les realizó un examen oftalmológico completo con esterofotografías de fondo de ojo de siete campos. Estas fotografías fueron graduadas con los criterios internacionalmente aceptados en el Centro de Lectura Fotográfica de nuestra institución. Se concluyó que la incidencia a cuatro años de retinopatía diabética, de cualquier grado es de 22.5 por ciento. Se presentó progresión en 20.6 por ciento y 4.5 por ciento alcanzó la etapa de retinopatía diabética proliferativa. La incidencia se asoció a edad menor de 45 años en el momento del diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus y la progresión, a más de 10 años de tiempo de evolución del padecimiento. La incidencia de edema macular a cuatro es de 8.8 por ciento. Es muy importante difundir estos datos para incrementar el nivel de conciencia y desarrollar estrategias de prevención y atención al paciente diabético en nuestro país

High prevalence of cholelithiasis in a low income mexican population: An ultrasonographic syrvey

The authors present the result of a population based survey of cholelititasis carried out in a low income area of Mexico city using high resolution gallbladder ultrasound. The purpose of the study was to estimate the prevalence and selected associated risk factors of cholelithiasis (CL). The population of the studied area was 15,532 subjects, of whom 3,505 (22.6 percent) were eligible for the baseline survey (men and non-pregnant women between 35-64 years of age). Of this group, 1,735 (76.03 percent, 702 men and 1,033 women) were located for a follow-up study. Ultrasonography was performed on all except for 100 subjects who had undergone previous cholecystectomy. Crude prevalence of CL was 14.1 percent (95 percent CI 12.5-15.5). The prevalence was 5.8 percent (95 percent CI 4.1-7.5) in men and 19.7 percent (95 percent CI 17-3-22.1) in women. Presence of gallstones was associated with age, sex (men p<0.006, women p<0.001), and multiparity (p<0.002). Centrality index in men and body mass index in women were positive and significantly associated with CL when compared with subjects without CL. High levels of fasting and post glucose load insulin in women and men respectively were associated with CL. The authors conclude that the population of this study has a high prevalence of CL and confirm some know risk factors such as age, sex, BMI and multiparity. Proper assessment of the magnitude problem and characterization of potentially modifiable risk factors will play a major role in preventing this pathology

A diabetic retinopathy screening program as a strategy for blindness prevention

The most frequent cause of preventable blindness in adults, in the developed world, is diabetic retinopathy (DR). the early treatable phase of this complication is clinically silent. In order to institute effectiv elaser photocoagulation and prevention of blindness, timely detection is crucial. Consequently there is a nedd for periodic funduscopic examinations of all diabetics. Due to the high prevalence of DM in Mexico most of the primary care facilities are limited. We present the results of a DR screening program (DRSP) using a mobile unit equipped with a fundus photography camera, parked outside of a clinic. We report the prevalence of the various stages of DR and clinical characteristics observed in this population as well as our experience working in such an environment. Th estudy period was from september 1 to december 22, 1995. All the diabetics that presented for care to the clinica were identified and all other persons were invited to participate. A total of 231 participants were invited (112 men, 119 women). Non- stereo fundus photos of two retinal fields (macula and optic disk centered) were taken with techique and classification according to international standards. Response rate to the invitation was 95.3 percent. Mean age was 62.4 ñ 13 years and 63.5 ñ 10 years and duration of diabetes was 12.3 ñ 10.1 years and 11.0 ñ 7.5 years for men and women, respectively. DR was detected in 38 percent of the caes, of these only 5.6 percent have received treatment. DR was uncovered in 84.5 percent of the cases and was associated with duration of diabetes (p<0.001 in men and p=0.04 in women) and hyperglycemia (in men p<005, only). DR has a high prevalence in this population and can be detected through a screening program which rveals undiagnosed hig risk DR in an efficient, and standardized manner

Nephropathy in low income diabetics: the Mexico City diabetes study

Among the most serious complications associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) is nephropathy (DN). In Mexico, there is little information on the frequency and clinical characteristics of DN in the Mexican population. We present results of a population-based survey designed to estimate the prevalence of DN. The low income population consisted of 15,532 inhabitants. All 35- to 64-year-old males and non-pregnant women residing in the survey area were identified as eligible for the study (3505; 22.6 percent). A home interview was obtained in 2810 (80.2 percent). A physical exam with oral glucose tolerance test wasobtained in 2282 (81.2 percent of those interviewed). DM was diagnosed in 304 (crude rate 13.3 percent). Mean age for men and women with DM was 51.6 ñ 8.4 and 52.2 ñ 7.5, respectively. Duration of DM in men was 9.2 ñ 8.1 and in women, 7.3 ñ 6.7 years. Hypertension was diagnosed in 19.8 percent of men and 18.1 percent of women. Diabetic retinopathy of any level was found in 55.4 percent of men and 45.7 percent of women. Mean glycohemoglobin in men was 9.6 ñ 2.1 and in women 9.5 ñ 2.2 percent (normal 4 - 8 percent). At baseline, proteinuria (1+ or more, by dipstick) was found in 24.7 percent of men and 9.6 percent of women, microalbuminuria (MA) in 84.4 percent of men and 63.8 percent of women. Quantitative albuminuria was abnormally high in 54.7 percent of men and 40.3 percent or women. In the 203 diabetic studied with 24 h urine collection from creatinine clearance, normal renal function was found in 69.1 percent of men and 47.5 percent of women, reduced renal function was found in 26 percent of men and 50 percent of women, ranl insufficiency was diagnosed in 4.9 percent of men and 1.6 percent of women. One patient was on dialysis and in a subsequent follow up, we found that 2.3 percent of the patients had died of renal failure, six men (46 -63 years) and a woman of 62 years. We concluded that DN is a very serious threat to this population. The high case fatality rate associatd with this condition maintains a low prevalence. It is important to develop a program to diminish the frequency of this condition