2026-05-25T01:22:01Z https://www.peertechzpublications.org/oai-pmh

oai:www.peertechzpublications.org:10.17352/2455-1414.000025 2015-12-17 PTZ.JCRO:VOL2

Assessing Adherence to Annual Dilated Eye Exam Recommendations in Patients with Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction Ethan Greenberg Lisa A Hark Christine Hubert Brianna Kenney Courtney B Reamer Julia A Haller Robert BaileyIrvin Hirsch<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> Journal of Clinical Research and Ophthalmology - Peertechz Publications 2015-12-17 Research Article https://doi.org/10.17352/2455-1414.000025 en Copyright © Ethan Greenberg et al.