Study on the severity of diabetic retinopathy and its relationship with serum bilirubin

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationship between the severity of diabetic retinopathy and serum bilirubin level. Methods From August 1 2008 to December 31 2009, hospitalized patients of 1062 cases with type 2 diabetes were divided into three groups according to fundus examination: no diabetic retinopathy (NDR) group (457 cases), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) group (484 cases)and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) group ( 121 cases). The difference in serum bilirubin level was compared. Results Total bilirubin in PDR, NPDR and NDR group were (9.96 ± 3.84), ( 11.41 ± 3.82),( 13.38 ± 3.98) μ mol/L respectively. There was significant difference among three groups (P ＜ 0.01 ). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that a drop in serum total bilirubin level was an independent risk factor of diabetic retinopathy. Conclusions Bilirubin level and the severity of diabetic retinopathy have some relationship. The antioxidant bilirubin and anti-inflammatory effect should be paid attention to. Key words: Diabetes mellitus,type 2; Diabetic retinopathy; Bilirubin