Abnormal Glucose Metabolism and Retinal Angiomatous Proliferation

Abstract

Purpose:: To report the rate of abnormal glucose metabolism in patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP).

Methods:: Consecutive patients with the diagnosis of RAP were identified through a computer search from a retina practice. We reviewed the charts of these patients. Documented abnormal glucose metabolism including diabetes mellitus (DM), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were noted. Patients with no established diagnosis of abnormal glucose metabolism were contacted for an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The results of OGTT were interpreted according to the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) 2003 clinical practice guidelines

Results:: A total of 61 patients are included in this study. The average age of the patients is 80 year-old. Thirteen (21%) patients are male and 48 (79%) are female. All are Caucasians. Ten out of sixty-one patients (16%) have established diagnosis of DM based on chart review. Among the remaining 51 patients with no known history of abnormal glucose metabolism, 14 patients agreed to undergo OGTT testing. Five (36%) of these 14 patients have abnormal results: two (14.3%) have IFG and IGT, one (7.1%) has IGT, and two (14%) patients' results are consistent with the diagnosis of DM.

Conclusions:: Our study suggests that the prevalence of abnormal glucose metabolism amongst RAP patients could be as high as 52%. This rate is significantly higher than reported in the literature for this age group (18% -28%). The possible explanation of this association will be discussed.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • diabetes • retinal neovascularization