Assessment of Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy Among the Diabetics Attending the Peripheral Diabetic Clinics in Melaka, Malaysia

Author: Krishna R Addoor ; Sulatha V Bhandary ; Rajesh Khanna ; Lavanya G Rao ; Kamala D Lingam ; Binu V S ; Santhosh Shivaji ; Manjunath Nandannaver
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Awareness, Retinopathy, Malaysia
From: The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2011;66(1):48-52
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: In view of the alarming increase in the incidence of diabetes mellitus in Malaysia, we conducted a study to assess the awareness of complications of diabetes among the diabetics attending the peripheral clinics in Melaka. The study period was from January 2007 to December 2007. 351 patients were included in the study. 79.8% were aware of the complications of diabetes mellitus and 87.2% were aware that diabetes can affect the eyes. However, only 50% of the patients underwent an ophthalmological evaluation. Although awareness was good, the motivation to undergo the assessment was poor.