Five-year experience of tele-ophthalmology for diabetic retinopathy screening in a rural population. / Análisis de un programa de teleoftalmología para el cribado de retinopatía diabética en área rural tras cinco años.
Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol
; 91(9): 426-30, 2016 Sep.
Article
em En, Es
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26900042
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To identify the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy (DR) among rural inhabitants included in a tele-ophthalmology program. To analyse diagnostic accuracy among primary care physicians, concordance with ophthalmologists, and financial savings. MATERIAL ANDMETHODS:
An observational randomised study was conducted on 394 patients included in a tele-ophthalmology program (from January 2010 to January 2015). An analysis was performed on the clinical characteristics, DR findings in retinography images, and correspondence between the request for a second interpretation by an ophthalmologist, and previously established criteria for it presence of moderate to severe DR, vision loss, poor image quality and/or intraocular pressure >22mmHg. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS program (Student t and χ(2) tests).RESULTS:
DR prevalence was 12.1%. Patients with glycosylated haemoglobin values >7.68% or those treated with a combination of insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs showed a higher risk of DR (P<.05). 43.3% of patients correctly referred to ophthalmologists showed moderate to severe DR. Unnecessary referrals to specialists were improved from 91.7% in 2010 to 98.6% in 2014. It is estimated that the program has made a total saving of 152,550.45.CONCLUSIONS:
Tele-ophthalmology programs are a useful tool in DR screening. Primary care physicians are able to distinguish patients who need specialist care, avoiding unnecessary referrals to ophthalmologists, and saving costs.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Oftalmologia
/
Programas de Rastreamento
/
Telemedicina
/
Retinopatia Diabética
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Médicos de Atenção Primária
Idioma:
En
/
Es
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article