Diabetic nephropathy, vision loss and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are frequent comorbidities among individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The Retinopathy in People Currently On Renal Dialysis (RiPCORD) study sought to examine the epidemiology and risk of vision impairment (VI) and DR among a cohort of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians with T2D currently receiving haemodialysis for end-stage renal failure (ESRF).
A total of 106 Indigenous and 109 non-Indigenous Australians were recruited in RiPCORD across five haemodialysis centres in urban and remote settings. Clinical assessments, questionnaires and medical record data determined the rates of ocular complications and risk factor profiles.
Prevalence rates include unilateral VI, 23.5 %; bilateral VI, 11.7 %; unilateral blindness, 14.2 %; and bilateral blindness, 3.7 %, with no significant differences between sub-cohorts (p=0.30). DR prevalence rates were 78.0 % among non-Indigenous Australians and 93.1 % among Indigenous Australians (p=<0.001). Non-Indigenous ethnicity (OR: 0.28) and pre-dialysis diastolic blood pressure (OR: 0.84 per 10-mmHg) were protective, while peripheral vascular disease (OR: 2.79) increased DR risk.
Ocular complications among individuals with T2D and ESRF are disproportionately high, especially for Indigenous Australians, and beyond what can be accounted for by risk factor variation. Findings suggest a need to improve screening and preventative efforts within this high-risk population group.
To compare 13-year mortality rates in normoglycemic, prediabetic and diabetic subjects attending a community-based screening and intervention programme.
Population survey identified 2569 cardiovascular disease (CVD) white risk subjects aged 45–70 years and without manifested CVD or diabetes. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed, and multifactorial intervention was provided. Effect of glycemic status on mortality was estimated in models adjusted for age, gender, education years, smoking, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, total cholesterol, and physical activity.
Of the subjects, 2055 (77 %) were normoglycemic, 380 (14 %) had prediabetes and 224 (9 %) diabetes. Compared to the normoglycemic group, the fully adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause mortality were 1.34 (95 % CI: 0.98–1.83) in the prediabetes group and 2.31 (95 % CI: 1.62–3.31) in the diabetes group. Standardized mortality rates were 0.63 (95 % CI: 0.54–0.73), 0.91 (95 % CI: 0.69–1.18), and 1.55 (95 % CI: 1.19–2.02) in the normoglycemic, prediabetes, and diabetes groups, respectively. The most common cause of death was cancer (42 % of all deaths), followed by CVD (28 %).
Screen-detected diabetes carries a substantial risk of death even after primary care intervention. The pattern of excess mortality has shifted towards cancer deaths.