Work

Burden and predictors of age-related macular degeneration among old age patients with diabetes attending comprehensive specialised hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia: a multicentre cross-sectional prospective study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the burden and predictors of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) among older age patients with diabetes attending comprehensive specialised hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia. DESIGN: A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted among older patients with diabetes using a systematic random sampling technique. SETTING: The study was conducted at five comprehensive specialised hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia from 8 May to 8 June 2023. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 832 diabetic individuals aged 40 years and above. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire and physical examinations. RESULT: In this study, a total of 832 participants were involved, with a response rate of 96.85%. The burden of AMD was 15.4% (95% CI 13.0% to 18.0%). Male sex (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.04, 95% CI 1.17 to 3.56), older age (AOR 6.91, 95% CI 3.17 to 15.08), diabetes duration of 10 and more years (AOR 3.00, 95% CI 1.91 to 4.69), higher body mass index (AOR 2.56, 95% CI 1.15 to 5.71), presence of hypertension (AOR 2.45, 95% CI 1.56 to 3.85) and family history of diabetes mellitus (DM) (AOR 2.29, 95% CI 1.40 to 3.76) were positively associated with AMD. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the prevalence of AMD among patients with diabetes was 15.4%. Older age, male sex, longer DM duration, higher body mass index, presence of hypertension and family history of DM were significantly associated with AMD. Targeted screening of at-risk individuals for AMD, public health awareness campaigns focusing on these factors and further research to understand the burden and underlying mechanisms of these associations with AMD are recommended.

Source: BMJ Open

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-105305