In a nutshell
The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for diabetic eye disease (retinopathy) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The main finding of the study was that poor blood sugar control, high levels of protein in the urine and high blood pressure were risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (DR) in T1D.
Some background
There are various major complications of T1D. These include heart disease, kidney disease (nephropathy), nerve disease (neuropathy) and DR. DR is when continuously high blood sugar levels cause the blood vessels in the eye to become leaky and cause damage to the eye. This can lead to reduced vision and even blindness. DR may be treated with laser eye surgery. Therefore, it is important to identify the risk factors for DR and reduce them to prevent DR.
Methods & findings
This study included 1,440 patients with T1D. Of these, 379 patients reached DR over an average of 22 years of follow-up. Approximately 65% of patients remained free from DR and 70% of patients did not have any eye surgery.
The greatest risk factor for DR was higher HbA1c (blood test measuring average blood sugar level over the past 3 months). Other risk factors included longer duration of T1D, high protein levels in urine and high diastolic blood pressure (the lower number in a blood pressure reading). Older age was also a risk factor for needing eye surgery.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that higher HbA1c was the greatest risk factor for developing DR. Other risk factors included high urinary protein levels, longer duration of T1D and high diastolic blood pressure.
Published By :
Diabetes Care
Date :
Mar 04, 2019
