Correlations between arterial hypertension and diabetic retinopathy in patients with type II diabetes

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy is a well-known complication of diabetes, a major cause of vision loss worldwide. Purpose. The present study investigates the correlation between hypertension and evolution of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type II diabetes. Materials and methods. We conducted a prospective study between June and December 2016, on 24 patients hospitalized in Ophthalmology Clinic, Emergengy University Hospital Bucharest, with AO: diabetic retinopathy and arterial hypertension under medical treatment. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 2 months, 4 months and 6 months through comprehensive eye examination and measuring the value of blood pressure (BP). Comparative data were analyzed in patients with compensated hypertension (BP = 150 mmHg). Results. Of the 24 patients, 15 had values offset BP (group A) and 9 associated hypertension subcompensated (group B). In group A proportion of patients (at baseline) with diabetic retinopathy absent or nonproliferative was higher than patients in group B (47% vs. 22%, p = 0.052995019518117). Patients in group B had a higher tendency to record an evolution of diabetic retinopathy (in group B, 55.55% of patients had a progression, and in group A, only 26.66%). onclusions. Incomplete therapeutic control of hypertension may affect the retinal microvasculature impacting the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Maintaining a strict control of systolic BP of permanent value below 140 mmHg should be part of the patient management guide of the diabetic patient in order to prevent ophthalmic complications with major risk of vision loss.

Keywords

• arterial hypertension
• diabetic retinopathy
• progression
• risk factor