The following is a summary of “Follow-Up Characteristics in a Large Diabetic Teleretinal Screening Program,” published in the 2023 issue of Opthalmology by Wasser et al.

Researchers performed a prospective study to investigate how many patients in a diabetic teleretinal imaging (TRI) screening program followed up with an eye doctor after their screening and to learn more about the characteristics of these patients.

The study used nonmydriatic fundus photos at primary care clinics and assessed by an ophthalmologist for diabetic retinopathy (DR). The ophthalmologist provided follow-up recommendations to the primary care physician. A retrospective chart review examined the follow-up rates of DR screenings. The study collected and compared demographic and clinical data of patients who adhered to follow-up recommendations and those who did not. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors predicting follow-up behavior. 

Of 27,954 TRI encounters involving 18,454 patients, 5,287 were referred for follow-up. The analysis included 3,060 cases, of which 1,775 (58%) adhered to follow-up recommendations. Patients aged 65 and above (odds ratio [OR] = 1.3, P = .01), those with a BMI below 30 (OR = 1.2, P = .03), individuals with A1C levels below 7 (OR = 1.2, P = .02), and those not in a relationship (OR = 1.2, P = .004) were more likely to follow up.

The study resulted in high follow-up rates, but younger patients with higher body mass index (BMI) and blood sugar (A1C) levels were less likely to follow up. 

Source: aao.apprisor.org/apsSession.cfm?id=PO481