Poor metabolic and blood pressure control in patients with diabetic retinopathy attending a tertiary ophthalmic hospital in Australia

Abstract

Aim: To determine the adherence to recommended glycemic and blood pressure levels in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: A retrospective study in a tertiary eye clinic in Melbourne, Australia. Data pertaining to blood pressure (BP) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level were extracted from charts over a 3-month period. Optimal HbA1c was defined as levels <7%, and optimal BP control was defined as systolic/diastolic 20 years versus ≤5 years). Optimal BP control was attained in only 18% (86/483) and was associated with younger age (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.96-0.99, per year increase in age). Conclusion: Adherence to clinical guidelines for glycemic and BP control in patients with DR ..