Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40554578›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2025

Prevalence of vision impairment among patients with diabetes mellitus in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Altaseb Beyene Kassaw, Addis Alem Hadigu, Melese Shenkut Abebe, Amare Abera Tareke, Wondwossen Debebe, Gosa Mankelkl, Natnael Kebede, Alemu Gedefie

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Altaseb Beyene KassawDepartment of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0001-6359-7826
Addis Alem HadiguDepartment of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Melese Shenkut AbebeDepartment of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Amare Abera TarekeDepartment of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Wondwossen DebebeDepartment of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Gosa MankelklDepartment of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Natnael KebedeSchool of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Alemu GedefieDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDiabetes mellitus is a growing global public health challenge, especially in low- and middle-income regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where healthcare resources are often limited. One of its most debilitating complications is vision impairment, which significantly impacts the quality of life, productivity, and independence of individuals. Although several studies have assessed the prevalence of vision impairment among individuals with diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa, their findings have been inconsistent and fragmented across different areas. A comprehensive synthesis of this evidence is crucial for informing healthcare planning, early screening, and management strategies. This study aimed to systematically review and synthesize the existing evidence on the prevalence of vision impairment among patients with diabetes mellitus in the region.

methodsA literature exploration was done in an electronic database such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Hinary, and African Journals Online. We included all observational studies reporting the prevalence of vision loss among diabetes mellitus patients in Sub-Saharan Africa. A random-effect meta-analysis model was computed to estimate the pooled prevalence of vision impairment. I2 test and Cochrane Q test statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity of the studies. Subgroup analysis was done based on the countries where the research was conducted. STATA Version 16 statistical software was used for data analysis. Publication bias was examined by funnel plots and Egger's tests.

resultsOnly 26 studies with 12508 participants, contributing data from 14 countries within Sub-Saharan Africa, met the inclusion criteria for the final analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of visual impairment was found to be 29% (95% CI: 22%-35%). Heterogeneity was observed among included studies (p < 0.001 for high I2 values). Subgroup analysis revealed the source of heterogeneity in the studies carried out in Ethiopia (I2 = 99.2%, p = < 0.001), Nigeria (I2 = 94.59%, p = < 0.001), and Zambia (I2 = 77.34%, p = 0.036).

conclusionThe findings of this study indicated that the pooled prevalence of vision impairment among diabetes mellitus patients is relatively higher. It can be concluded that diabetes mellitus patients should be managed properly to prevent visual impairment. Early detection of visual impairment through screening and regular follow-up is recommended to reduce as well as control the burden of visual impairment and its impact on the diabetic population.

Indexed as

Diabetes ComplicationsDiabetes MellitusVision DisordersAfrica South of the SaharaHumansPrevalence

Identifiers

PMID40554578
PMCPMC12186915

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.