The awareness of diabetic patients to HbA1c as a predictive test for diabetic retinopathy

Nadia Adel Khesro; Mahmood Abdulrazzaq Mahmood

Volume : VII, Issue : V, May - 2017

The awareness of diabetic patients to HbA1c as a predictive test for diabetic retinopathy

Nadia Adel Khesro, Mahmood Abdulrazzaq Mahmood

Abstract :

Introduction Diabetes mellitus is global epidemic; it is estimate that about 171 million people suffering from this Disease throughout the world. The importance of eye examination of all diabetic patients at the time of diagnosis is to prevent the blinding complications of diabetic retinopathy. It further shows that age, gender, and glycemic control are associated with the onset and the progression of diabetic retinopathy Objective: IS to evaluate awareness of HbA1c as a predictive test and its relationship with retinopathy in diabetic patients. Methodology: A cross− sectional study was carried out on 400 diabetic patients, age above 30 years with history of diabetes mellitus not less than one year, with or without retinopathy attended Ghazi al−Hariri hospital for specialized surgeries and interviewed face to face by using detailed questioner. Results: This study shows only (16.25%) of the population aware that increase HbA1c is associated with diabetic retinopathy. There was statistical significant association regarding the awareness about the increased HbA1c is associated with diabetic retinopathy regarding the age groups (30−39), illiterate patients, and with the duration of DM. The study showed that most of the participants were females, age between 50–59 years, of secondary high school education, and with a DM duration of more than ten years Conclusion: The awareness of HbA1c as predictive test was very low. So it‘s Important to increase the knowledge of diabetic patient to the complications of DM retinopathy through TV, newspapers , health education, posters in all health centers and hospitals as this will motivate diabetic patients to actively engage in health seeking behavior for eye check−up. This awareness and knowledge lead to a better understanding and acceptance of the importance of routine eye examinations for the early detection and treatment of eye diseases, thereby reducing the incidence of blinding disease and the development of an integrated health and social care pathway including further education and better communication between relevant parties, would help in reducing the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy.