Predictive value of the SYNTAX score for diabetic retinopathy in stable coronary artery disease patients with a concomitant type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

AimsDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is the most common cause of impaired vision for adults. DR is related to a number of risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between burden of coronary artery disease assessed by Syntax Score (SS) and DR in T2DM. MethodsA total of 96 T2DM patients undergoing coronary angiography were prospectively included in the study. Presence and severity of DR were assessed by ocular fundus examination. DR was graded as no apparent retinopathy (NDR), non-proliferative (NPDR), and proliferative DR (PDR). The SS for each patient was calculated. ResultsThe mean age was 58.0 ± 8.2 years. SS gradually increased from NDR group to PDR group. The median (IQR) value of SS was 10 (5–16) in patients with NDR, 22.8 (17–35.8) in those with NPDR, and 35.5 (28–37) in those with PDR (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis SS [odds ratio (OR) 1.145, p = 0.001] and duration of diabetes (OR 1.753, p = 0.031) were independent factors for DR. ConclusionsThe SS is independently associated with the occurrence of DR in T2DM. Ophthalmologists and cardiologists must cooperate when evaluating patients with DM because of possible complications.