Effectiveness of interventions to increase uptake and completion of treatment for diabetic retinopathy in low- and middle-income countries: a rapid review protocol

Abstract Background Vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy can largely be prevented or delayed through treatment. Patients with vision-threatening are typically offered laser intravitreal injections which often require more than one treatment cycle. However, is not always initiated, it completed, resulting in poor visual outcomes. Interventions aimed at improving the uptake completion of for potentially help prevent delay people diabetes. Methods We will search MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health and Cochrane Register Studies studies reporting interventions improve (DR) and/or macular oedema (DMO), compared usual care, adults The review include published last 20 years English language. any study design that measured following outcomes relation DR DMO: (1) proportion patients initiating DMO among those whom recommended, (2) completing (3) (4) number rounds completed per patient, as dictated by protocol. For included studies, we also report measures cost-effectiveness when available. Two reviewers screen results independently. Risk bias assessment done two reviewers, data extraction reviewer verification 10% papers a second reviewer. synthesised narratively. Discussion This rapid aims identify synthesise peer-reviewed literature on effectiveness increase LMICs. methodology was chosen order rapidly available evidence support programme implementers policy-makers designing evidence-based health programmes public policy inform allocation resources. Systematic registration OSF osf.io/h5wgr