Abstract

PURPOSE: DR is a chronic, progressive eye condition that affects the retinal blood vessels in individuals with diabetes. In the United States, it is estimated that over 9.6 million adults have DR, and this number is expected to increase annually. This condition not only poses a significant public health challenge but also highlights the need for inclusive research to address disparities in healthcare outcomes thus we performed a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis assessing the diversity and representation of diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients in clinical trials conducted in the United States from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2023.

DESIGN METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy was conducted on May 28th, 2024 using MEDLINE (PubMed) and Embase (Elsevier) to identify relevant clinical trials. Inclusion criteria included trials published between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023, focusing on interventions for DR that were conducted in the United States. Screening and data extraction were independently performed by three reviewers.

RESULTS: Eleven clinical trials met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed for participant representation based on sex, age, and race/ethnicity. Sex representation was rated as good in 9 of the 11 studies. However, age representation was rarely reported (only 1/11 studies) and race/ethnicity representation was poor in 6 of the 11 studies. The findings highlight significant underrepresentation of Asian and Black populations, as well as older adults.

CONCLUSION: This study reveals substantial disparities in the demographic representation within DR clinical trials in the United States, emphasizing the critical need for improved inclusion strategies. Enhancing diversity in these trials is essential for producing research findings that are more applicable to the broader population affected by DR, ultimately contributing to more equitable healthcare outcomes and advancing the effectiveness of treatments across diverse demographic groups. 
Original languageAmerican English
Pages22
StatePublished - 13 Sep 2024
Event2024 Symposium on Tribal and Rural Innovations in Disparities and Equity for Health - Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah, United States
Duration: 13 Sep 202413 Sep 2024

Conference

Conference2024 Symposium on Tribal and Rural Innovations in Disparities and Equity for Health
Abbreviated titleSTRIDE 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityTahlequah
Period13/09/2413/09/24

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