Urgent final call for participants from 42 countries to contribute now to largest global diabetic retinopathy (DR) survey

The DR Barometer survey, set to be the biggest survey ever conducted in diabetic retinopathy (DR), is enrolling people with diabetes and healthcare providers. The valuable time spent by all those contributing will play a critical role in informing and shaping policy and decision-making nationally and globally in DR.

There is an urgent need to increase study recruitment across all countries in February and March 2015 before the database is locked on 31 March 2015. The countdown has begun to recruit 70 patients and 30 healthcare providers in each of the 42 countries*.

“We need as many people living with diabetes and their healthcare providers to have their voices heard and we ask them to generously give their time to complete the DR survey now. Together we can transform the future of DR care but currently many voices from many countries are missing. Everyone’s input from around the world is invaluable to this truly ground-breaking study.” said Jane Barratt, Secretary General, International Federation on Ageing.

DR is a common complication of diabetes and the leading cause of blindness among working age adults.[1]  The project will examine awareness, access to healthcare services and treatment and the social and economic burden of the disease for people with diabetes, DR, and diabetic macular oedema (DME) and the health professionals associated with their care. 

The DR Barometer Project is a collaborative initiative between the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). It is being run by the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) across 42 countries worldwide.

How to get involved in the Diabetic Retinopathy Barometer Project

Patients: If you are an adult diagnosed with diabetes interested in taking part in the study, click here: http://bit.ly/takeDRsurveynow

Healthcare professionals: If you are a healthcare professional in participating countries and would like to contribute, click here: http://bit.ly/takeDRsurveynow Please encourage and support suitable people with diabetes to take part.

MEDIA INTERVIEWS

To learn more about the preliminary findings from the qualitative phase that is informing this phase of research, leading experts from all of the organisations involved with the DR Barometer Project are available for interview including:

·  Jane Barratt, Secretary General, International Federation on Ageing (IFA)

·  Dr Lydia Makaroff, Epidemiology and Public Health Manager, International Diabetes Federation (IDF)

·  Mr Peter Ackland, CEO, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)

If you would like to organise an interview please contact [email protected] or +44 (0)207 611 3610.

About Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)

DR is a common complication of diabetes and the leading cause of blindness among working age adults.[2] Visual impairment caused by DR and DME has a significant impact on psychological well-being and quality of life,[3] and limits employment, mobility, social functioning and independence.3^,[4],[5] It also results in significantly increased healthcare costs,5^,[6],[7],[8] and an increased need for informal and formal caregivers.[9]

*Country list:

References