Erdenechimeg D, Altaisaikhan H , Baasankhuu J

The objective of this study is establish the prevalence, severity, and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in randomly selected type 2 diabetic patients in Ulaanbaatar. Two hundred forty six patients from 6 districts in Ulaanbaatar were included in this study. Participants provided a detailed medical and personal history and underwent an ocular examination including funduscopy and provided blood sample, from which the blood glucose was measured. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among people with type 2 diabetes was 29.2%. The prevalence of untreated, vision-threatening retinopathy was 2.4%. Retinopathy was positively associated with a longer reported duration of diabetes and with higher fractions of blood glucose (p<0.01). Loss of visual acuity correlated with progression of retinopathy (p-0.003). Retinopathy was not significantly associated with age, ethnicity, body mass index, and intake of alcohol or aspirin (p>0.05). Diabetic sight threatening retinopathy is common among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Mongolia. People with diabetes should be encouraged to maintain strict glycaemic control and to undergo regular screening to delay or prevent and the development of retinopathy.