Effectiveness of remote screening for diabetic retinopathy among patients referred to Mozambican Diabetes Association (AMODIA): a retrospective observational study

AIMS: Diabetes represents a growing public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, where diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of permanent visual loss. We reported the results of a remote screening of DR among urbanized Mozambican people with diabetes. METHODS: We retrospectively collected retinal images and clinical characteristics from 536 patients screened for DR in Maputo (Mozambique), over a period of 2 years (2018–2019). Retinal photographs were captured, digitally stored, and scored locally and by an expert ophthalmologist in Italy remotely. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of DR was 29% with sight-threatening forms accounting for 8.1% of that number. Inter-reader agreement between the local and the Italian ophthalmologists was poor (k < 0.2). Patients with DR were older, had a longer duration of disease, worse glycaemic control, and a higher prevalence of comorbidities. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, HbA1c, diabetes duration, and coronary heart disease (CHD) were associated with DR. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of DR among urbanized Mozambican patients was similar to that observed in Western countries. Telediagnosis might partially overcome the paucity of local ophthalmologists with experience in DR. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00592-021-01834-3.