Posters

Prevalence and associated factors of cataract among diabetic patients in the West Bank, Palestine: a cross-sectional study

Poster Details

First Author: A.Busttami ISRAEL

Co Author(s):    Y. Shanti   H. Al Zabadi   S. Malhas   Q. Mahmoud   I. Taha   R. Othman     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of cataract and identify its mostly associated factors among the Palestinian DM patients in the West Bank directorates in order to target the effective screening programs that would minimize the progression of cataract or delay its formation.

Setting:

Subjects were recruited in the primary health care centers (PHC) of the MoH in all West Bank directorates (Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqelia, Nablus, Salfit, Tubas, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jericho, and Hebron).

Methods:

A cross–sectional study was conducted in all governorates of the West Bank with a proportionally and randomly selected sample size of 385 subjects. The participants were interviewed face to face for an average of ten minutes to fill in a previously validated Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) questionnaire. Then after, blood and urine samples were collected and finally, the participants were passed for an ophthalmic examination performed by a certified ophthalmologist.

Results:

The prevalence of any cataract, nuclear cataract, cortical cataract, and posterior subcapsular cataract was found to be 47.8%, 28.1%, 14.0%, and 4.7% respectively. The most significant factors for any cataract were: age (55 – 64) (OR 5.375), age (≥ 65) (OR 30.238), DM duration (10 – 19) (OR 2.251), DM duration (≥20) (OR 5.771), systemic steroid therapy (OR 0.411). For nuclear cataract, significant associated factors were: age (55 – 64) (OR 9.576), age (≥ 65) (OR 17.928), DM duration (≥20) (OR 3.059), ALK PHOS (OR 0.354). For cortical cataract: DM duration (≥20) (OR 6.134) was the only significant factor.

Conclusions:

The study results showed a high prevalence of cataract among diabetic patients in West Bank. A clinically important result was that the most significant factor for cataract formation was in fact DM duration rather than DM control which indicates that even with a good glycemic control. On the light of the study results, it is recommended that an effective cataract screening program among DM patients should take place to prevent visual impairment and its related disabilities.

Financial Disclosure:

None