Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), caused by small vessel disease, is the main cause of blindness in persons with diabetes. Taiwan is one of the Asian countries with the highest prevalence rate of DR. The purpose was to investigate the related risk factors of DR in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), in Lee’s Endocrinology Clinic. 792 T2DM patients over 60 years old were invited to have an outpatient visit at least every three months, and all of them were asked to undergo a standardized interview and collect their blood samples. Significant factors were being female (adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.287; 95% CI, 1.082–1.531), higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (HR: 1.067; 95% CI: 1.016–1.119), higher mean low density of lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (HR: 1.004; 95% CI: 1.001–1.006), and chewing betel nut (HR: 1.788; 95% CI: 1.362–2.347). This study showed that gender, the behavior of chewing betel nut, HbA1c, and LDL-c are important factors for the development of DR in elderly patients with T2DM. It is suggested that patients should control their HbA1c and LDL-c and quit chewing betel nut to prevent DR. This suggestion applies especially to female patients.
Highlights
Diabetes is a common chronic metabolic disease worldwide
About 493 patients reported a history of diabetes in their family, 149 patients reported drinking behavior, and 79 patients were addicted to chewing betel nut
A family history of diabetes was reported by 493 patients, 149 patients reported drinking behavior, 79 patients were addicted to chewing betel nut, 108 patients reported no educational qualifications, 189 patients were addicted to smoking behavior, and 453 patients reported regular exercise behavior
Summary
Diabetes is a common chronic metabolic disease worldwide. Patients with diabetes need to strictly control and manage their lifestyle to maintain their blood index such as blood glucose, pressure, and lipids to prevent vascular neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy.Without proper management, it might accelerate disease deterioration into cerebrovascular and coronary artery diseases, and diabetic retinopathy (DR). Diabetes is a common chronic metabolic disease worldwide. Patients with diabetes need to strictly control and manage their lifestyle to maintain their blood index such as blood glucose, pressure, and lipids to prevent vascular neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy. Without proper management, it might accelerate disease deterioration into cerebrovascular and coronary artery diseases, and diabetic retinopathy (DR). The complications pose a significant threat to the worsening of symptoms [1,2]. Health Organizations (WHO), the global prevalence of diabetes was 8.8%.
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