ROME (ITALPRESS) – Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent chronic degenerative diseases globally; in Italy an estimated 4 million people have diabetes, with about 1 million cases still undiagnosed.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of this disease is expected to increase in the coming years, especially in Western countries, due to increased life expectancy and the growing incidence of overweight and sedentariness.Diabetes Mellitus is particularly relevant because of the complications it can cause to numerous organs, negatively affecting patients’ quality of life and, more generally, public health. In particular, among the main complications of the disease is Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), a serious eye disease that is the leading cause of blindness in adults of working age.In Italy, more than 1 million people with Diabetes Mellitus suffer from a form of Diabetic Retinopathy, and the number is constantly increasing. Therefore, it is crucial to increase the frequency and prevalence of checkups and examinations to promote early diagnosis. “It is crucial to adopt a multidisciplinary approach in the management of diabetes, with close collaboration between diabetologist and ophthalmologist. The management of diabetes requires a team of adequately trained professionals to meet all the needs of patients, especially for the prevention of associated complications,” commented Angelo Avogaro, president of the Italian Society of Diabetology. “Retinal damage, which is often silent and asymptomatic, makes diabetic retinopathy underdiagnosed. By the time the patient notices a decline in vision, the disease is already advanced. It is vital to motivate people with diabetes to undergo periodic eye screenings to enable early diagnosis and limit vision loss. “Even today in Italy, there is no ongoing screening and structured protocols for all referred patients, many of whom, often, are unaware of the severity of the disease and the serious consequences associated with it. To address this issue and enable discussion among key system players on the importance of screening, early diagnosis and multidisciplinary approach, the institutional event “Diabetic Retinopathy: Importance of Prevention and Early Diagnosis for the Referral Patient” held under the patronage of the Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Italian Society of Diabetology- SID, Associazione Medici Diabetologi Lazio section, SISO, APMO, MACULA COMMITTEE, AIMO, organized by Cencora-Pharmalex and realized with the unconditional contribution of Abbvie Italia.The event emphasized the crucial importance of increasing the frequency and prevalence of screening and examinations to promote early diagnosis. Screening is a pivotal tool to intervene early with appropriate treatment, manage the glycemic level in the diabetic patient, and prevent serious consequences such as Diabetic Retinopathy (DR).During the meeting, the Study “VALUE BASED EYECARE: paper on prevention of ocular complications in the diabetic patient” was officially presented, framing the disease by drawing attention to the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR).”It is estimated that nearly all patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and more than 60 percent of individuals with type 2 DM experience varying forms of retinopathy severity within approximately 20 years of diagnosis. Given the importance of these numbers, we must deploy all available prevention strategies. For example, digitization and telemedicine can become valuable allies, offering new opportunities for the early diagnosis of macular disorders,” says Massimo Nicolò, Associate Professor of Visual Apparatus Diseases, University of Genoa; Head of the Retina and Maculopathies Center Ophthalmology Clinic University of Genoa DINOGMI Policlinico San Martino Hospital Genoa. “It is necessary to take advantage of remote tele-consultation to intercept citizens with visual problems, offering them the possibility of undergoing a checkup in a specialized center. Thanks to OCT (Computerized Optical Tomography), we can perform examinations remotely, reducing the risk of visual deterioration and limiting unnecessary visits to the hospital. This model brings the hospital closer to the patient, improving accessibility and effectiveness of care.” Diabetes and related ocular complications are a major burden on health care. Therefore, there is a strong need today to invest in the prevention of the ocular complications of diabetes, to improve the treatment of all patients with diabetes, to optimize their health care, and to fully evaluate the impact and benefit of screening by facilitating patient access to this good prevention practice. “The ophthalmologist has a very important role in the management of diabetes complications. People with diabetes have a high risk of developing vision problems. High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in the eyes and cause complications such as diabetic retinopathy. This can unfortunately happen even to those whose blood sugar is under control. This is why first-level diagnostics can be instrumental in treating the condition early. Screening is a tool that should be used and disseminated in all appropriate places” – says Francesco Bandello, President of Associazione Pazienti Malattie Oculari – APMO; Director Ophthalmology Clinic Università Vita Salute IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele Milano – “For example, the pharmacy can become a point of contact for the implementation of eye screenings representing a strategic connection point between patient and specialist, having the pharmacist a direct and frequent contact with the patient is able to send him towards the most correct path of diagnosis and treatment. For this reason, the relevant institutions should also encourage screening within pharmacies. “The need to improve accessibility to care also has an economic purpose. It is estimated that about 13 percent of the burden of low vision can be attributed to the most severe forms of Diabetic Retinopathy. With about 108,856 people entitled to exemptions related to visual impairment, DR alone is expected to produce a state cost burden of €4.2 billion over the 2015-2030 period.For Giovanni Satta, 10th Commission on Social Affairs, Health, Public and Private Labor, and Social Security, Senate of the Republic, “ophthalmologic screening in diabetic patients is the only strategy that allows for early care in diabetic patients and avoid the onset of the serious complications of retinopathy that can lead to severe functional deficits or even blindness. As an ophthalmologist turned senator, I am working in Parliament together with my other colleagues to get DDL 483 passed as soon as possible, which includes provisions to protect people with chronic degenerative eye diseases particularly the promotion of prevention, appropriateness and innovation of therapies for diseases that must be a priority in public health policies because of the high social and clinical costs they entail.”
– Pharmalex press office photo -(ITALPRESS).
