505-P: The Prevalence, Risk Factors and Predictors of Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Introduction & Objectives: Diabetic retinopathy(DR) is associated with significant visual impairment and quality of life in people living with diabetes, however, studies on the prevalence and risk factors from Saudi Arabia have been inconsistent, hence the aim of this was to define the prevalence, risk factors and predictors of DR in a large sample of subjects with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and T2DM.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included subjects with both T2DM and T1DM (if duration > 5 years) who attended the diabetes clinics at King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh between January 2022 and December 2022. Data are presented as Mean ± SD.

Results: The study sample included 1399 subjects of whom 566(40.5%) had T1DM and 833 (59.5 %) subjects had T2DM. Mean Hba1c for T1DM subjects was 8.8 ± 3.0 %, mean diabetes duration 10.2 ±5.6 years, and mean Time in Range (TIR) was 42.7 ± 18 % (N=354 subjects). Mean HbA1c for T2DM subjects was 7.8 ± 1.5 %, mean diabetes duration was 14.1 ± 8.8 years and mean TIR was 52.7 ± 25 (N=139). The prevalence of DR in the overall study population was 20.0 % (280/1399) with the majority ( 86.5 %) in the Mild and Moderate Non-Proliferative DR stages. The prevalence of DR in T1DM & T2DM subjects was 12.7 % and 24.8 %, respectively. Subjects with T1DM & DR were significantly older and had longer diabetes duration while subjects with T2DM & DR were older, had longer diabetes duration, higher Systolic BP, higher urinary albumin/Creatinine ratio( UACR) and lower estimated GFR. Logistic regression showed that in T1DM subjects, longer diabetes duration, lower TIR and higher glucose variability were independently associated while, longer diabetes duration and higher UACR were independently associated with DR in T2DM subjects.

Conclusion: In a large sample of Saudi subjects with diabetes, the prevalence of DR was 20 %. Efficient screening and targeting modifiable risk factors are important measures in the prevention as well as avoidance of progression of DR.