Association of high blood lead level and diabetic retinopathy among Saudi diabetic patients

Abstract

Objectives: Lead is a widely used heavy metal, which is absorbed in humans by different routes. It causes wide varieties of health hazards including eye pathologies. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. The current study was conducted to study blood lead level (BLL) as a risk factor for development of retinopathy among diabetics. Methods: Two hundred thirty-six diabetic patients, aged above 45 years, were examined for DR through dilated fundus examinations. Whole blood samples were collected for BLL assay by atomic absorption. Diabetic retinopathy was graded following the Scottish grading system. Results: Diabetic retinopathy was observed in 75 (31.7%) cases. BLL was significantly higher (p = 0.0083) in DR cases [GM = 8.5 µg/dl (95% CI 8–9)] in comparison with the other diabetics without DR [GM = 10.25 µg/dl (95% CI 9.4–11). Also, BLL was significantly correlated with the grade of retinopathy (p value = 0.0023, r = 0.386). In addition, the data revealed that the effect of BLL in pathogenesis of DR was more significant among females and participants aged below 60 years. Conclusion: The current data suggested that high BLL can be considered as a contributing factor for development of DR among diabetics. Further larger and long-term studies are recommended for more robust data.