Clinical Study
Eye (2007) 21, 708–711; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702307; published online 24 February 2006
Blood pressure control in type II diabetics with diabetic retinopathy
None of the authors have any financial interest in this project
This audit was presented as a poster in the Oxford Ophthalmological Congress, July 2005
- 1West Kent Eye Centre, Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, Kent, UK
- 2West Kent Eye Centre, Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, Kent, UK
Correspondence: S Sivaprasad, West Kent Eye Centre, Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, Kent BR6 8ND, UK. Tel: +44 208 9249761; Fax: +44 208 4913978. E-mail: senswathi@aol.com
Received 15 September 2005; Accepted 15 January 2006; Published online 24 February 2006.
Abstract
Background
Large clinical trials have emphasized that blood pressure control provides a major clinical benefit in reducing the risk of blindness in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
Methods
This audit was carried out to assess the quality of care for hypertension in 100 consecutive type II diabetics with diabetic retinopathy.
Results
The target blood pressure of 140/80 mmHg was achieved only in 38% of the patients. We also observed that 65% of the patients requiring diabetic macular laser treatment in this cohort had suboptimal control. The factors associated with suboptimal blood pressure control are identified and discussed.
Conclusion
Despite the unequivocal fact that lowering BP significantly reduces morbidity and mortality in diabetics, the majority of patients are not treated to a goal BP.
Keywords:
diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, audit
