Artículo original Percepción del paciente diabético sobre la fotocoagulación

Introduction and objectives: Treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) with photocoagulation efficiently reduces hyperglycemiainduced ischemia and further visual loss. However, some patients may perceive it as the cause of visual loss or as a definitive therapy. With the aid of a questionnaire we identified patients in whom lack of information contributed to these perceptions. Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, open study. A 20-item questionnaire with information about the illness and its treatment was applied to patients with PDR undergoing photocoagulation between January and June 2008. The proportion of patients that knew the information each item dealt with was identified, as well as the association between items. Educational intervention was considered necessary when at least 25% of the patients were unfamiliar with the item information. Results: 50 patients were evaluated, mean age 60.2 years, 48% females. More than 25% of the patients were unfamiliar with the information related to the origin of their ocular illness and the beneficial effect of treatment, illness recurrence and the possibility of additional treatments; only 28% of the patients knew that photocoagulation does not improve visual function. Conclusions: In 70% of the items related to patient information the content was unknown by more than 25% of the subjects. Three areas of opportunity for success in the ophthalmic treatment were identified: information about the illness for patients and family, adequate medical control and expectations about treatment.