To explore whether the prevalence and severity of retinopathy differ in diabetes cohorts diagnosed through screening as compared with conventional health care.
A total of 257 diabetes patients, 151 detected through screening and 106 through conventional clinical care, were included. Retinopathy was evaluated by fundus photography. The modified Airlie House adaptation of the Early Treatment Retinopathy Study protocol was used to grade the photographs. Averages of clinically collected fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure and body mass index values were compiled from diabetes diagnosis until the eye examination. Blood chemistry, smoking habits and peripheral neuropathy were assessed at the time of the eye examination.
Among the screening-detected patients, 22% had retinopathy as compared to 51% among those clinically detected (p