Abstract
Purpose :
Coronavirus disease [COVID 19] caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 [SARS- CoV-2] was first identified in on Dec 2,2019 and continues to be a global threat. Metabolic disorders like Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus [T2DM] have been shown to be a risk factor for COVID -19 infections. Conversely, some studies have also reported COVID-19 infection associated with increased risk of T2DM where it may lead to new onset Diabetes or aggravation of existing T2DM. As Diabetic Retinopathy [DR] is a common microvascular complication in the eye due to Hyperglycemia which is also seen in COVID-19 infections.This retospective observational study aims to report the incidence of Diabetic Retinopathy in T2DM patients post COVID-19 upto a year.
Methods :
The study was approved by the MCPHS Institutional Review Board as an exemption [IRB # 2022-2023-53]. 225 charts of patients ranging between 19-90 yrs[avg 56 +/- 11] seen at the optometry clinic at Edward M Kennedy Community Health Center were reviewed retrospectively using ICD-10 codes for DR and COVID.The patients were seen between Jan 2021 to Dec 2022. Data collection included age, gender, ethnicity, HbA1c, COVID results if exposed and Retinopathy status in Diabetic patients at end of 1 yr since COVID diagnosis. Odds ratio was calculated for 122 Diabetic patients with 96 exposed to COVID. As HbA1c is a validated Biomarker for DR incidence and progression, it was recorded for all the Diabetic patients pre and post COVID diagnosis for up to a year at 3 month intervals.and a trend analysis was performed.
Results :
Odds Ratio for incidence of Diabetic Retinopathy in COVID positive patients was calculated as 0.248 [95% CI 0.09- 0.64] indicating that the Odds of getting DR is very low after being exposed to COVID in 1 yr. Trend analysis of HbA1c levels revealed statistically significant difference from pre COVID levels at 3 months [p<0.05 CI -1.72-0.03], 6 months [p<0.18, CI -1.625 –0.091] and 12 months [p<0.035, CI 0.041-1.962]. post COVID indicating the HbA1c levels were significantly higer than pre COVID levels till the end of 1 year.
Conclusions :
The Odds of getting Diabetic Retinopathy after a positive COVID diagnosis in Diabetic Type 2 adults was found to be very small at the end of one year.. Although there is increased Hyperglycemia after COVID diagnosis, patients did not manifest any Retinopathy but could potentially develop it if Hyperglycemia is not well controlled.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.