Loss to Follow-Up in Patients with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy after Pars Plana Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the risk factors of loss to follow-up (LTFU) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) therapy. METHODS: Information of PDR patients undergoing PPV at the Department of Vitreoretinal Surgery, the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, between 2018 and 2024 was collected. LTFU was defined as at least 1 interval exceeding 3 months without a subsequent visit in the first 6 months after PPV and not having any provider encounters documented from 6 months to 1 year. RESULTS: Among 1234 patients with PDR after PPV, 668 (54.1%) were LTFU. Risk factors positively associated with LTFU on multivariable analysis included preoperative hemoglobin A1c 7.5-9.0% (odds ratio [OR], 1.88; P = 0.018), a duration of hypertension ≥10 years (OR, 1.61; P = 0.048), a history of chronic kidney disease or uremia (OR, 3.55; P = 0.005), and distance between home postal code and hospital >90 km (OR, 2.03; P = 0.008). Protective factors against LTFU included a history of intravitreal injection(s) in the study eye (OR, 0.67; P = 0.041), ≥3 preoperative visits (OR, 0.62; P = 0.011), and the use of silicone oil tamponade during vitrectomy (OR, 0.14; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We identified multiple factors associated with LTFU and warrant further study to confirm our results to minimize the risk of potential complications during the postoperative period.