Micronutrient Deficiencies and Nutritional Pattens as Possible Risk Factors in the Onset of Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication in diabetes. Many studies have demonstrated strong correlation between diet and the onset progression of diabetes, but only few focused on possible link nutritional patterns, micronutrient deficiency DR. In this observational study, by using 10-day food diary recordings, we analyzed eating habits 34 patients affected DR, 35 controls with long history type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) no matched healthy subjects. Macro- intakes were calculated based Italian composition database Center Research for Food Nutrition (CREA) validated software. Moreover, adherence to Mediterranean (MD) was evaluated widely adopted questionnaire. Respect diabetic group average daily intake vitamin A (total retinol activity equivalents) strongly reduced DR (524 vs 1072 mg/d, P<0.01); those C also (48.0 85.2 P<0.01) as well D (3.73 5.40 P<0.01). Copper lower (0,50 0,82 similarly potassium respect non retinopathic one (1271 2180 showed significatively MD T2DM This study confirmed role unhealthy patterns development retinopathy.