Association of serum lipids and random plasma glucose levels with severity of diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common vision-threatening chronic microvascular, microangiopathy complication of diabetes militias.We have designed this cross sectional observational study to understand the role of serum lipids and random plasma glucose level with severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study was accomplished with 210 patients that came to us in the diabetic clinic. There were two groups: Group A - All DM patients with no apparent sign of diabetic retinopathy (Grade I) and Group B - All DM Patients with any signs of diabetic retinopathy (Grade II - V). Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was graded according to The International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale on dilated fundus examination and fundus phtotograpgy. Serum lipids (Total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) were then assessed according to NCEP ATP III guidlines. The correlation of the severity DR was then assessed with serum lipids and random plasm glucose.We found that total cholesterol and triglycerides played a detrimental role in the severity of diabetic retinopathy and the likelihood of developing a more severe form of diabetic retinopathy was dependent on their levels (P<0.05). The Association of HDL and LDL with different grades of diabetic retinopathy was also found significant (P<0.05). However, the association of VLDL (P>0.05) was found insignificant. Similarly, the values of total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL showed a significant rise with severity of diabetic macular edema (DME)In this present study, the significant association of total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL with DR thus concludes that along with strict glycemic monitoring and control, the of control of hyperlipidemia is also noteworthy to prevent the progression of DR and DME.