From U Hospital of Wales: Increasing time between diabetic retinopathy screenings

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22414383

Diabet Med. 2012 Mar 13. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2012.03637.x. [Epub ahead of print]

Diabetic retinopathy screening: perspectives of people with diabetes, screening intervals and costs of attending screening.

Yeo ST, Edwards RT, Luzio SD, Charles JM, Thomas RL, Peters JM, Owens DR.

Source

Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation, IMSCaR, College of Health and Behavioural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor Institute of Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea Diabetes Research Unit, Centre for Endocrine and Diabetes Sciences, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.

Abstract

Aims:  

To obtain the views of people with diabetes about the provision of diabetic retinopathy screening services; and the interval of screening. 

Methods:  

Between October 2009 and January 2010, people with diabetes attending diabetic retinopathy screening clinics across Wales were asked to complete a questionnaire comprising of two parts: the first asking about their health, diabetes history, demographic characteristics and views about the diabetic retinopathy screening service, and the second asking about the costs of attending the screening. 

Results:  

The response rate was 40% (n = 621) from 1550 questionnaires distributed at diabetic retinopathy clinics, with 600 complete responses analysed. Respondents had a mean known duration of diabetes of 8.5 years (sd 7.8) and had attended for screening on average 3.2 times (sd 1.6) in the last 5 years. Sixty-eight per cent (n = 408) of respondents reported having their eyes screened approximately once a year. Eighty-five per cent (n = 507) felt that they should have their eyes screened every year. However, 65% (n = 390) of respondents would accept screening at 2- or 3-year intervals if medical evidence showed that it was safe. The reported personal costs incurred by respondents attending diabetic retinopathy screening were low. 

Conclusion:  

Our study suggests that people with diabetes undergoing diabetic retinopathy screening would accept a greater screening interval, provided that adequate clinical evidence and medical reassurance were given.