Associated risk factors in the early stage of diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Abstract Background To investigate the retinal capillary density (RCD) of the macula using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in type 2 diabetic patients and to further determine the association with risk factors. Methods A total of 212 eyes from 212 subjects were recruited; subjects included diabetics with no retinopathy (NDR, n = 90 eyes), diabetics with mild retinopathy DR (MDR, n = 36 eyes), and healthy participants (Control, n = 86 eyes). All participants underwent OCT-A scanning. RCD was quantified by superficial and deep retinal capillary layers (SRCL and DRCL) from OCT-A images. Results RCD in SRCL and DRCL was lower in NDR (P 55y, HbA1c > 7% had significantly reduced DRCL (P 8.2 mmol/L had significantly reduced SRCL and DRCL when compared to the other group of diabetics. Conclusions Risk factors including older age, higher level of HbA1c, LDL-C and BUN, were associated with lower RCDs found in type 2 diabetic patients with and without mild DR by OCT-A. The impairment of retinal capillary by OCT-A may play a key role in the early monitoring of management in diabetes.

Keywords

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Optical coherence tomography angiography
• Retinal capillary density
• Systematic risk factors