Effectiveness of Treatmentsand Follow-Ups Of Diabetic Retinopathy in Nakhonpathom Hospital

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM), together with high blood pressure, is the most common non-communicable diseases in Thais, and DM is the second leading cause of illnessin Nakhonpathom Hospital’s patients. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complicationof DM, that is most often found in diabetic patients. Therefore DR is considered one of the main diseases of the Ophthalmology department. However, no data or indicators have been collected to monitor the effectiveness oftreatment and follow-up of diabetic retinopathy, making it difficult to develop a good service system further.

Objectives: To search the effectiveness oftreatment and follow-up of diabetic retinopathy in Nakhonpathom Hospital

Methods: The diabetic retinopathy patients who received laser treatment at ophthalmic outpatient department, including patients with severe visual loss from DRwho attended the retina clinic between July, 2017 – June, 2018 were Retrospectively reviewed of the history of retinal diabetic retinopathy treatments through the data collection system of Nakhonpathom Hospital (Neohos program) from the date of diagnosis, follow-up,to the final day of the study (December 31, 2018). Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and percentage.

Results:There were 299 patients/598 eyesincluded in the study.the number of eyeswithsevere visual loss thatimproved by at least 10letters was 104/556(19 percent), the number of eyes that got worse, lost vision at least 10letterswas 61/556 (11 percent) and the number of patients who wererefered toMettaPracharakHospital or Ban Phaeo Hospital was 24 (8 percent). At the end of the study, it was found that the number of patients who followed the treatment schedule was 138 (46 percent) andthe number of patients who did not follow the treatment schedule was 133, representing 44 percent.

Conclusions:DR is considered one of the main diseases of the department of ophthalmology of Nakhonpathom Hospital. Effectiveness oftreatment and follow-up of diabetic retinopathy  are ones of the indicators of management of diabetic retinopathy, helping create more effective system.