Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus has an array of micro vascular complications most notably retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy of which retinopathy is the most common. Diabetic Retinopathy can cause permanent vision loss due to capillary non-perfusion, macular edema, vitreous hemorrhage, tractinal retinal detachment and neo-vascular glaucoma. This study had been carried out to find out the demographic and biochemical risk factors for Diabetic Retinopathy in unadulterated type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. To assess the presence of retinopathy; to find out the influence of demographic and biochemical variables mainly micro albuminuria, duration of Diabetes Mellitus, glycemic levels on the prevalence and severity of retinopathy in type 2 Diabetes. After ethical approval, two hundred type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients fitting our criteria were enrolled. History and patient details were recorded. Body mass index was calculated. Clinical examination with slit lamp bio microscopy was done and Diabetic Retinopathy was graded according to the International Classification system. Patients’ blood sugar, HbA1C, cholesterol, urea and creatinine values were recorded. Spot urine sample was tested for micro albuminuria. The data were analysed and compared using appropriate tests. Retinopathy prevalence was 65.5% and was significantly more in insulin users (71.8%). The prevalence of micro albuminuria was 52%. and 93.3% of them had Diabetic Retinopathy. Elevated postprandial blood sugar and HbA1C levels were significantly associated with the prevalence and severity of Retinopathy. Micro albuminuria was identified as the significant variable associated with the development and progression of Retinopathy and can be taken as a marker to prevent avoidable blindness.