Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Andalusian program for early detection of diabetic retinopathy: a population-based study
AimsTo analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity and outcomes of the Andalusian Program for Early Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy (APDR).MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted during 2018–2023. The following variables were analyzed annually: newly included patie...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcdhc.2025.1631252/full |
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| author | Reyes Ravé Garcia Pablo Rodríguez de Vera Gómez Eduardo Mayoral Sánchez Manuel Aguilar Diosdado Manuel Aguilar Diosdado María Asunción Martínez-Brocca María Asunción Martínez-Brocca |
| author_facet | Reyes Ravé Garcia Pablo Rodríguez de Vera Gómez Eduardo Mayoral Sánchez Manuel Aguilar Diosdado Manuel Aguilar Diosdado María Asunción Martínez-Brocca María Asunción Martínez-Brocca |
| author_sort | Reyes Ravé Garcia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | AimsTo analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity and outcomes of the Andalusian Program for Early Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy (APDR).MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted during 2018–2023. The following variables were analyzed annually: newly included patients, retinal photographs performed, and pathological findings categorized by severity. Moderate-to-severe non-proliferative and proliferative retinopathy were classified as vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR).ResultsIn 2020 and 2021, the number of newly included patients (11,897 and 18,343, respectively) and retinal photographs performed (39,667 and 64,092, respectively) decreased compared to previous years (2018 and 2019: 25,940 and 30,807 new patients, respectively; 85,171 and 100,849 retinal photographs, respectively). In 2022, activity levels increased 160% compared to 2019. The proportion of VTDR cases remained stable at 0.163%, 0.14%, and 0.075% during 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively, compared to the prepandemic period (0.168% and 0.117% in 2018 and 2019, respectively).ConclusionsDespite the slowdown in activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the post-pandemic proportion of VTDR cases diagnosed through the APDR remained stable, suggesting resilience against severe outcomes despite healthcare disruption. The program has demonstrated an effective recovery. Ongoing long-term monitoring is essential to fully assess the pandemic’s potential impact on late-stage complications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-66033108de06445285e4e1699e2e485b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2673-6616 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj-art-66033108de06445285e4e1699e2e485b2025-08-20T03:02:52ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare2673-66162025-08-01610.3389/fcdhc.2025.16312521631252Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Andalusian program for early detection of diabetic retinopathy: a population-based studyReyes Ravé Garcia0Pablo Rodríguez de Vera Gómez1Eduardo Mayoral Sánchez2Manuel Aguilar Diosdado3Manuel Aguilar Diosdado4María Asunción Martínez-Brocca5María Asunción Martínez-Brocca6Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, University Hospital Virgen Macarena, Seville, SpainDepartment of Endocrinology and Nutrition, University Hospital Virgen Macarena, Seville, SpainAndalusian Comprehensive Healthcare Plan for Diabetes, Regional Ministry of Health, Andalusian Public Health System, Seville, SpainEndocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Puerta del Mar, Cadiz, SpainBiomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Cadiz, SpainDepartment of Endocrinology and Nutrition, University Hospital Virgen Macarena, Seville, SpainAndalusian Comprehensive Healthcare Plan for Diabetes, Regional Ministry of Health, Andalusian Public Health System, Seville, SpainAimsTo analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity and outcomes of the Andalusian Program for Early Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy (APDR).MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted during 2018–2023. The following variables were analyzed annually: newly included patients, retinal photographs performed, and pathological findings categorized by severity. Moderate-to-severe non-proliferative and proliferative retinopathy were classified as vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR).ResultsIn 2020 and 2021, the number of newly included patients (11,897 and 18,343, respectively) and retinal photographs performed (39,667 and 64,092, respectively) decreased compared to previous years (2018 and 2019: 25,940 and 30,807 new patients, respectively; 85,171 and 100,849 retinal photographs, respectively). In 2022, activity levels increased 160% compared to 2019. The proportion of VTDR cases remained stable at 0.163%, 0.14%, and 0.075% during 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively, compared to the prepandemic period (0.168% and 0.117% in 2018 and 2019, respectively).ConclusionsDespite the slowdown in activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the post-pandemic proportion of VTDR cases diagnosed through the APDR remained stable, suggesting resilience against severe outcomes despite healthcare disruption. The program has demonstrated an effective recovery. Ongoing long-term monitoring is essential to fully assess the pandemic’s potential impact on late-stage complications.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcdhc.2025.1631252/fulldiabetic retinopathyrisk factorvision-threatening diabetic retinopathytype 1 diabetes mellitusCOVID-19 |
| spellingShingle | Reyes Ravé Garcia Pablo Rodríguez de Vera Gómez Eduardo Mayoral Sánchez Manuel Aguilar Diosdado Manuel Aguilar Diosdado María Asunción Martínez-Brocca María Asunción Martínez-Brocca Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Andalusian program for early detection of diabetic retinopathy: a population-based study Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare diabetic retinopathy risk factor vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy type 1 diabetes mellitus COVID-19 |
| title | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Andalusian program for early detection of diabetic retinopathy: a population-based study |
| title_full | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Andalusian program for early detection of diabetic retinopathy: a population-based study |
| title_fullStr | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Andalusian program for early detection of diabetic retinopathy: a population-based study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Andalusian program for early detection of diabetic retinopathy: a population-based study |
| title_short | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Andalusian program for early detection of diabetic retinopathy: a population-based study |
| title_sort | impact of the covid 19 pandemic on the andalusian program for early detection of diabetic retinopathy a population based study |
| topic | diabetic retinopathy risk factor vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy type 1 diabetes mellitus COVID-19 |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcdhc.2025.1631252/full |
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