Assessment of Risk Factors for the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy in T2D

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the risk factors that contributes to the incidence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methodology: We conducted serial fundus photography in individuals at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, including after the onset of diabetes. The ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study) grading system was used to evaluate the fundus photographs. Results: A total of 400 participants with a 3:3.6 male-to-female ratio were included in this study. The T2 DM patients with mean age 48.73±9.24 and 47.53±8.53 years with and without retinopathy respectively were observed, which shows that there is a non-significant difference (p=0.801). The differences in weight and BMI in T2 D participants with and without diabetic retinopathy were also not significant. The study found that the history of pregnancy, history of gestational DM, measures of HOMA-B, HOMA-IR, insulin genic index, oral disposition index, urine albumin to creatinine ratio, and hs-CRP were not associated with the presence of retinopathy. Association of nonglycemic risk factors in T2D. The study found that mean HbA1c during follow-up was significantly associated (P < 0.0001) with the prevalence of retinopathy, The study found that retinopathy was associated with measures of higher blood pressure (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and presence of hypertension) and lipid profile. Conclusions: The development of DR can occur in the early stages of T2D. Hemoglobin A1c was found to be a significant risk factor for the occurrence of DR across the intact glycemic range in patients with T2D.

Keywords

• risk factors
• diabetic retinopathy
• t2d