DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: RESEARCH IN PATIENTS HIPERDIA PROGRAM PROJECT PET-HEALTH FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF PARÁ.

Introduction and objectives: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness among diabetics. This complication occurs due to high concentration of glucose in the bloodstream, which damages the blood vessels that nourish the retina. Identify the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients treated by the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in Ananindeua, Pará. Methods: This is a study of the sectional type with 40 patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) registered in HIPERDIA program and assisted by the ESF of Anantapur. Selected underwent a standardized home questionnaire and answered questions about the knowledge, evolution and complications of DM and DR, as well as socioeconomic data. In the next step, a medical volunteer ophthalmologist held fundus and found the carriers of RD that then were referred to a specialized center to receive specific treatment. Of these patients, 9 were excluded from the study for not attending the unit for the fundus. Results: The prevalence of RD was found to be 40.7%, and 4 patients had impaired its analysis due to the presence of cataracts, so it was only possible to make evaluation in 27. Factors associated with RD after analysis of the variables we were: Knowledge time of diagnosis to be patient with DM, type of DM and non-proliferative DR. Conclusion: This pilot study highlights the importance of primary care in monitoring diabetic patients, and guidance to public health workers about the need for periodic referral of diabetics to an ophthalmologist.