The prevalence of DR is more than 15%! Once type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, an eye examination is recommended immediately

Once type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, an eye exam is recommended immediately! The latest study found that up to 15% of newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes already have eye lesions
.
THE FINDINGS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL
DIABETES METABOLISM RESEARCH AND REVIEWS.

Prevalence of DR in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus: over 13% overall, over 15% in Southeast Asian countries

Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is generally delayed due to atypical symptoms, and patients may remain undiagnosed
for years.
As the course of the disease goes unmanaged, microvascular and macrovascular complications
may occur.
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in newly diagnosed T2DM patients worldwide
.

Using the electronic database, the investigators systematically searched for relevant studies published from inception to January 1, 2022 for analysis, and used random-effects meta-analysis to derive pooled prevalence
.
Data from 77 studies from 26 countries involving 99,847 patients
with newly diagnosed T2DM were included for analysis.
The analysis results show:

➤ The overall prevalence of DR in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM was 13.
1% (95% CI 11.
1% to 15.
1%; I^2=97.
0%）
。

➤ This figure was 19.
2% in Africa (95% CI, 14.
6%-24.
3%; I^2=76.
0%）
。

➤ 15.
4% (95% CI, 10.
0%-21.
6%) in South-East Asia; I^2=79.
1%）
。

➤ 15.
0% (95% CI, 11.
2%-19.
2%) in Europe; I^2=82.
0%）
。

➤ Among newly diagnosed patients with T2DM, the prevalence of DR is significantly lower in women than in men
.

➤ The prevalence of DR in newly diagnosed patients with T2DM remained largely unchanged
over time.

Summary of this article

Studies have shown that globally, DR is a common complication
in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM.
Eye examination at the time of diagnosis of T2DM and regular screening are important
to reduce the risk of vision-threatening retinopathy.

Compiled from: Cai K, Liu YP, Wang D.
Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.
DIABETES-METABOLISM RESEARCH AND REVIEWS.
2022 Oct 26: e3586.
DOI: 10.
1002/dmrr.
3586, PMID:36286346