Purpose
Hyperuricemia is a risk factor of diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular mortality. The aim of this study was to explore the role of uric acid in diabetic retinopathy (DR) of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
Methods
A prospective study of DR for 3 years was conducted on 776 type 2 diabetic patients in a medical center. Baseline serum uric acid (SUA) and parameters including glycemic control, blood pressure, and kidney function were collected for analyzing their contribution to the evolution of DR during the period of study.
Results
Fundus examination showed 528 patients (68.0%) had no DR at baseline. After 3 years, newly developed DR was recognized in 84 (15.9%). The concentration of SUA in patients of our study ranged from 1.60-11.2 mg/dl. We found that the ratio of newly developed DR was significantly higher (p < 0.001) for patients in the fourth (serum uric acid ≥ 7.1 mg/dl) when compared with patients in the first quartile (serum uric acid < 4.8 mg/dl). Patients with newly developed DR had a higher concentration of SUA (6.6±1.7 vs. 5.9±1.5, p < 0.001) than others without DR at the end of study. SUA was an independent factor associated with newly developed (p=0.002; 95% C.I. 1.12-1.64) DR after adjust for demographic and traditional risk factors including HbA1c, hypertension, and impaired kidney function.
Conclusions
High serum uric acid preceded both the newly developed DR in 3 years. The finding provides the evidence for monitoring the serum uric acid level in type 2 diabetic patients.
Keywords: 499 diabetic retinopathy •
464 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment