Screening and identifying diabetes in optometric practice: a prospective study

Howse, JH.; Jones, S.; Hungin, APS.

Abstract

Background: Unconventional settings, outside general medical practice, are an underutilised resource in the attempt to identify the large numbers of people with undiagnosed diabetes worldwide. Aim: The study investigated the feasibility of using optometry practices (opticians) as a setting for a diabetes screening service. Design and setting: Adults attending high street optometry practices in northern England who self-reported at least one risk factor for diabetes were offered a random capillary blood glucose (rCBG) test. Those with raised rCBG levels were asked to visit their GP for further investigations. Results: Of 1909 adults attending practices for sight tests, 1303 (68.2%) reported risk factors for diabetes, of whom 1002 (76.9%) had rCBG measurements taken. Of these, 318 (31.7%) were found to have a rCBG level of ≥6.1 mmol/l, a level where further investigations are recommended by Diabetes UK; 1.6% of previously undiagnosed individuals were diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes as a result of the service. Refining the number of risk factors for inclusion would have reduced those requiring screening by half and still have identified nearly 70% of the new cases of diabetes and pre-diabetes. Conclusion: Screening in optometric practices provides an efficient opportunity to screen at-risk individuals who do not present to conventional medical services, and is acceptable and appropriate. Optometrists represent a skilled worldwide resource that could provide a screening service. This service could be transferable to other settings.

Citation

Howse, J., Jones, S., & Hungin, A. (2011). Screening and identifying diabetes in optometric practice: a prospective study. British Journal of General Practice, 61(588), e436-e442. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp11x583227

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Feb 1, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 18, 2013
• Journal: British Journal of General Practice
• Print ISSN: 0960-1643
• Electronic ISSN: 1478-5242
• Publisher: Royal College of General Practitioners
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 61
• Issue: 588
• Pages: e436-e442
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp11x583227
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1544243