Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diabetic Retinopathy in Diabetes People using Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in people with diabetes mellitus (DM) using Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII (2017~2018). @*Methods@#DM was defined as in two ways; 1) doctor's diagnosis (Group 1, n=549), 2) one of doctor's diagnosis, medication, or hyperglycemia (Group 2, n=849). The DR prevalence was measured as the prevalence proportion (%). Risk factors for developing DR were analyzed using multiple logistic regression, and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. @*Results@#The prevalence of DR was 25.87% in Group 1 and 20.14% in Group 2. Risk factors for DR were identified as insulin therapy (Group 1 OR=5.31, Group 2 OR=5.27), DM duration ≥10 years (Group 1 OR=2.20, Group 2 OR=3.10), and systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg (Group 1 OR=2.26, Group 2 OR=2.23) for both groups. @*Conclusion@#Considering the DR prevalence, eye examinations education is highly recommended as part of a diabetes management programs in the community. It is also proposed to shorten the eye examination cycle for people with risk factors and establish a referral system to link between screening to treatment.