Assessing Adherence to Annual Dilated Eye Exam Recommendations in Patients with Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction

• Main Authors: Ethan Greenberg (Author), Lisa A Hark (Author), Christine Hubert (Author), Brianna Kenney (Author), Courtney B Reamer (Author), Julia A Haller (Author), Robert Bailey (Author), Irvin Hirsch (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Journal of Clinical Research and Ophthalmology - Peertechz Publications, 2015-12-17.
• Subjects: Research Article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

<p><strong>Aims:</strong> This prospective, observational, pilot study assessed adherence rates of annual dilated fundus examinations (DFEs) among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and erectile dysfunction (ED) in a university-based practice and identified predictors associated with DFE adherence.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> A total of 56 men who had been diagnosed with ED and type I or type II DM were enrolled in the study and given a 24-question survey assessing their knowledge of DFE recommendations and ocular history. Patients were classified as adherent (n=39) or non-adherent (n=17) to the annual DFE. The differences in demographics, baseline characteristics, and survey responses between the adherent and non-adherent groups were analyzed using Fisher's exact test for the comparison of proportions and Student's t-test for the comparison of means.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The adherent group was more likely than the non-adherent group to be seeing an eye doctor (p=0.03). The most common cited reasons for not seeing an ophthalmologist were "Too busy" (n=5) and "Unable to pay the co-pay" (n=4).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Patients with ED and DM showed a greater adherence to annual DFE recommendations than those in the reported non-ED population. Minimizing the cost barrier and educating about diabetes complications may increase adherence in obtaining a DFE.</p>