Development and Functioning of a Regional Diabetic Retinopathy Register in the City of Varna, Bulgaria – First Results

This study presents the first results related to the development and functioning of a regional diabetic retinopathy (DR) population-based registry in the city of Varna, Bulgaria. A specialized software has been developed for entering, storing, and management of information of DR patients. The registry started functioning on January 4, 2021 and only permanently living in the city of Varna people over the age of 17 diagnosed with diabetes were entered into the registry. Screening for DR was conducted through one of the following diagnostic methods: indirect ophthalmoscopy, retinal fundus photography with a stationary or portable fundus camera. Detailed information on the screening method and process, the type of the DR, treatment, along with data for the diabetes of the patients are stored in the records. In total 230 patients are screened for DR for a period of 10 months. The mean age of the patients who were screened (n=230) is 63.2±17.8 years, lower for men 61 (12.6) than for women 65 (30.1) years, t=4.473, p=0.035. The total number of patients with DR was 90. Among the 230 screened persons with diabetes 30 were newly diagnosed with DR. The establishment of a regional registry of patients with DR provides an opportunity for early detection of DR, information on the prevalence of DR and the effectiveness of treatment, and can serve as a basis for the development of a national screening program and registry.