Open-angle glaucoma in diabetic patients’ prevalence and risk factors: a cross-sectional study in Sudan

Abstract

Background: Diabetic patients are at increased risk of glaucoma compared to the general population. Risk factors for glaucoma that is specific to diabetic patients include increased IOP, retinopathy and neovascular changes and years since diagnosis of diabetes. This cross-sectional study aims to report on the prevalence of glaucoma in diabetic patients in community diabetes centre in Sudan and examine associations with previously reported risk factors.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Omdurman specialised diabetic healthcare centre in Sudan. A total of 300 patients consented to participation. All patients filled in a survey for both demographics and diabetic disease history then had an assessment for glaucoma by an ophthalmologist. The assessment included examination of the anterior segment, optic nerve assessment and fundus examination using a stereoscopic slit lamp, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement using tonometry, peripheral anterior chamber configuration and depth assessments using gonioscopy and central visual field assessment using perimetry.Results: Prevalence of open-angle glaucoma diagnosis was 2.8% among diabetic patients who were included in this study. Family history for glaucoma was significantly associated with increased risk of open-angle glaucoma (OR 5.67, 95% CI 1.74-18.45). Retinopathy was also associated with an increased risk of developing the condition (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.11-8.51). Gender, years since diabetes diagnosis and medications did not have significant associations.Conclusions: Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of developing open-angle glaucoma, but the prevalence among the diabetic population attending community diabetes centre in Sudan remains low. Among different clinical determinants, diabetic retinopathy and genetic determinants may explain the increased risk in the diabetic population.

Glaucoma and its predictors among adult patients attending ophthalmic outpatient department: a hospital-based study, North West Ethiopia

“…Patients with a positive family history of glaucoma were 3.72 times more likely to develop glaucoma. Studies in Australia [28,29], Sub-Saharan Africa [11], and Sudan [36] also found similar results. The reason might be due to hereditary factors.…”

Glaucoma in diabetic patients and the need for further research

“…6 Several studies suggest that genetic abnormality is also implicated in glaucoma cases even in the diabetic population, but in such studies, the population is not compared to non-diabetic population. 15 Three systematic reviews examined the associations between diabetes and glaucoma. [7][8][9] Pooled analysis from those studies reported different OR 1.37, (95% CI=0.72-2.02), OR=1.36, (95% CI=1.25-1.50) and OR=1.48, (95% CI=1.29-1.71).…”