Retinopathy and Microalbuminuria in Type 2 Diabetic patients

Background: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for the development of retinopathy and microalbuminuria and their correlation in diabetes type 2 patients. Methods: In this cross sectional study 591 patients with diabetes type 2 were examined. Fundoscopy was performed by practising Ophthalmologist. The urinary albumin to creatinin ratio was assessed by clinitek 100 ( Bayer corporation – USA). HbA1C, height, weight also was measured. Results: The overall prevalence of retinopathy was 39.3% (232 patients), from this group 5.5% was PDR. Diabetic retinopathy had significant inverse correlation with BMI. (P=0.02) HbA1C was higher in patients with PDR ( mean = 10.5) than in patients without retinopathy ( mean=9.5) and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 23.5% also 12.8% had macroalbuminuria. As expected diabetic retinopathy and renal involvement were strongly positively associated (P=0.001). Conclusion: Microalbuminuria is associated with diabetic retinopathy in diabetes type 2 patients and is a reliable marker of retinopathy.