Wang F, Javitt J C
Worthen Center for Eye Care Research, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007-2197, USA.
Ophthalmology. 1996 Nov;103(11):1744-50. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(96)30432-6.
The purpose of the study is to understand current pattern of eye care use among people with diabetes.
Study population included 175,015 Medicare beneficiaries who had physician-diagnosed diabetes. The authors estimated overall rate of eye care visits among these beneficiaries in 1992 and 1993 using Medicare physician claims data. In combination of Area Resource File, the authors examined association of eye care use with demographic characteristics, regional socio-economic characteristics, and regional eye care provider supply.
Fifty-three percent of the population had at least 1 eye care visit in a 1-year period and 67% in a 2-year period. Younger age (ages < 75 years), male gender, black race, high regional poverty, and fewer ophthalmologist supply were related to lower rate of eye care use. There was no association between eye care use and regional education level and optometrist supply.
The findings suggest that a large portion of elderly people with diabetes is not obtaining the necessary eye care, especially blacks, men, and those residing in poor areas with fewer ophthalmologists.
本研究的目的是了解糖尿病患者目前的眼部护理使用模式。
研究人群包括175,015名经医生诊断患有糖尿病的医疗保险受益人。作者利用医疗保险医生索赔数据估计了这些受益人在1992年和1993年的眼部护理就诊总率。结合区域资源文件，作者研究了眼部护理使用与人口统计学特征、区域社会经济特征以及区域眼科护理提供者供应之间的关联。
53%的人群在1年期间至少有1次眼部护理就诊，67%的人群在2年期间至少有1次眼部护理就诊。年龄较小（年龄<75岁）、男性、黑人种族、区域贫困程度高以及眼科医生供应较少与眼部护理使用率较低有关。眼部护理使用与区域教育水平和验光师供应之间没有关联。
研究结果表明，很大一部分老年糖尿病患者没有获得必要的眼部护理，尤其是黑人、男性以及居住在眼科医生较少的贫困地区的患者。
