Diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Erdenechimeg Dulamjav¹, Altaisaihan Hasag², Baasankhuu Jamiyanjav², Anar Toishubai³

¹Public Health Institute of Mongolia
²Health and Science Univercity of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
³The Department of Ophthalmology, Shastin Central Hospital, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Purpose: To establish prevalence, severity of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients in Ulaanbaatar

Methods: 246 diabetic patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly selected from 6 districts of Ulaanbaatar (capital city) and underwent a complete eye examination. Diabetic retinopathy was assessed ophthalmoscopically. Body weight and height were assessed and body mass index was calculated. One half of patients agreed for blood test and figures of Glycosylated hemoglobin were obtained.

Results: 246 patients were examined. The mean age of participants was 58.8 years (median 57.5, range 29-79). The mean duration of diabetes was 9.85 (median 11.5, range 1-27).
The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in the total sample was 29.2%. The prevalence of mild NPDR, moderate NPDR and severe NPDR was 6.5% (n=16), 8.1% (n=20) and 5.6% (n=14) respectively. 8.9% of patients had PDR. 12 (4.8%) patients had laser treatment.

Conclusion: Diabetic retinopathy is common among diabetic patients as well as sight threatening retinopathy. Patients should be encouraged to undergo to regular screening to prevent visual loss from retinopathy.