[Population-based study of diabetic retinopathy in Wolfsburg]. / Populationsbezogene Erhebung zur diabetischen Retinopathie in Wolfsburg.

INTRODUCTION: Since November 1997 the complete documentation of an ophthalmological examination of diabetics has been annually subsidized by the Volkswagen Corporation Health Maintenance Organization (VW-HMO). METHODS: The results of an annual ophthalmological examination were recorded in a standardised history sheet developed by the Initiative Group for Early Detection of Diabetic Eye Diseases. These data included visual acuity, intraocular pressure, lens status and a description of fundus abnormalities. RESULTS: Within 26 months ophthalmological examinations of 2,801 patients were completed which represented 4.5% of all VW-HMO insured patients. On average, patients suffered from diabetes for 9.6 years (SD +/- 8.3), artificial intraocular lenses were present in 357 eyes (6.4%) and 1,216 eyes (12.0%) were diagnosed with cataract or posterior capsule opacification impairing visual acuity. Out of 263 patients younger than 40 years old, 18.8% had a mild or moderate and 3.3% a severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). A proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) was found in 2.2% of the younger patients. Of 2,228 patients aged 40 years and older, 11.9% had a mild or moderate and 2.6% a severe NPDR. In 0.9% of this group PDR was diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: An annual ophthalmological screening based on a survey sheet of the Initiative Group was successfully introduced. For the first time a population-based evaluation on the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was carried out for inhabitants of a German city. The prevalence of PDR was found to be lower than previously published in comparable studied.

[Preventive care for early detection of diabetes mellitus complications: a model project in Wolfsburg]. / Vorsorgeuntersuchung zur Früherkennung der Folgeschäden bei Diabetes mellitus: Modellprojekt in Wolfsburg.

In the city of Wolfsburg, an annual screening to detect diabetic complications was introduced. In this model, project internists and general practitioners were remunerated for the documentation of diabetic complications. Ophthalmologists were remunerated for the documentation of screening for diabetic eye disease. The patients received a copy of the results. 1,563 patients (2.57% of 60,800 persons insured by the Volkswagen health insurance in the city) received ophthalmologic examination. 1,554 patients (2.6%) were examined by internists and general practitioners (58 practices). Out of 2,879 eyes examined in no retinopathy was detected 80.9%. In 14.1%, mild or moderate retinopathy was observed as well as 3.3% severe non-proliferative retinopathy and 1.3% proliferative retinopathy. 32 amputations were documented. Three of them were not related to diabetes. 32 patients had diabetic foot ulcers (75% males). The implementation of screening for diabetic complications was very successful. Based on the results, an evidence based disease management programme can be started focussing especially on improved tertiary prevention of diabetic complications.