Background/Aims Population-based surveys on
diabetes and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are necessary to
increase awareness and develop screening and
therapeutic programmes. The aim was to estimate the
prevalence of DR in older adults of different ethnic
backgrounds in Suriname.
Methods Fifty clusters of 60 people aged ≥50 years
were randomly selected with a probability proportional
to the size of the population unit. Eligible people were
randomly selected through compact segment sampling
and examined using the Rapid Assessment of
Avoidable Blindness plus Diabetic Retinopathy
(RAAB + DR) protocol. Participants were classified as
having diabetes if they: were previously diagnosed with
diabetes; were receiving treatment for glucose control;
had a random blood glucose level >200 mg/dL. These
participants were dilated for funduscopy, assessed for
DR following the Scottish DR grading protocol and
evaluated for ethnicity and DR ophthalmic screening
frequencies.
Results A total of 2806 individuals was examined
(response 93.6%). The prevalence of diabetes was
24.6%. In these patients any type of DR and/or
maculopathy occurred in 21.6% and sight-threatening
DR in 8.0%. Of the known diabetics, 34.2% never had
an eye examination for DR and in 13.0% the last
examination was >24 months ago. The prevalence of
diabetes was significantly higher in Hindustani people
compared with other major ethnic groups.
Conclusions The prevalence of diabetes and diabetics
without regular DR control in people aged ≥50 years in
Suriname was higher than expected. The uptake for
special services for DR has to be expanded to decrease
patient delay and DR-induced blindness