Subset of diabetes patients at risk of retinopathy within 5 years of diagnosis: Study
Los Angeles, CA: A new study by Dr. William S. Gange and the team reported that some patients with type 2 diabetes are likely to develop proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and other neovascular complications within the first 5 years following type 2 diabetes diagnosis. The study is published in the journal Diabetes Care.
Type 2 diabetes poses several complications and risk factors. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes with several other complications.
William S. Gange from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and colleagues aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors for developing Proliferative diabetic retinopathy, tractional retinal detachment (TRD), and neovascular glaucoma (NVG) at 5 years after the initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
For this purpose, the researchers identified insured patients aged ≥18 with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 5 years of continuous enrollment from a nationwide commercial claims database containing data from 2007 to 2015. The incidences of Proliferative diabetic retinopathy, TRD, and NVG were computed at 5 years following the index diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Associations between these outcomes and demographic, socioeconomic, and medical factors were tested.
The results of the study were found to be:
- At 5 years following the initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, 1.74% (1,249 of 71,817) of patients had developed PDR, 0.25% of patients had developed TRD, and 0.14% of patients had developed NVG.
- Insulin use (odds ratio [OR] 3.59), maximum HbA1c >9% or >75 mmol/mol (OR 2.10), renal disease (OR 2.68), peripheral circulatory disorders (OR 1.88), neurological disease (OR 1.62), and older age (age 65–74) at diagnosis (OR 1.62) were identified as risk factors for development of PDR at 5 years.
- Young age (age 18–23) at diagnosis (OR 0.46,), Medicare insurance (OR 0.60), morbid obesity (OR 0.72), and smoking (OR 0.84,) were identified as protective factors.
Gange and the team concluded that "A subset of patients with type 2 diabetes develop Proliferative diabetic retinopathy and other neovascular sequelae within the first 5 years following the diagnosis with type 2 diabetes. These patients may benefit from increased efforts for screening and early intervention."
For further information: https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-0228
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.