Association between diabetic retinopathy and subclinical atherosclerosis in China: Results from a community-based study. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Yu; Teng, Xiangyu; Zhang, Wei; Zhang, Ruifeng; Liu, Wei
• Is Part Of: Diabetes & vascular disease research. Volume 12:Number 5(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 366
• Page End: 372
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Diabetic retinopathy -- subclinical atherosclerosis -- type 2 diabetes; Diabetic angiopathies -- Periodicals; 616.462005
• DOI: 10.1177/1479164115591744
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-1641

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the association of diabetic retinopathy with subclinical atherosclerosis in middle-aged and elderly Chinese with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was performed among 1607 patients aged 40 years or older in Shanghai. Non-mydriatic digital fundus photography examination was used in diabetic retinopathy detection. Presence of elevated carotid intima-media thickness or carotid plaque was defined as subclinical atherosclerosis. Results: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 15.1% in total patients. Patients with diabetic retinopathy were more likely to have elevated carotid intima-media thickness, carotid plaque and subclinical atherosclerosis than those without diabetic retinopathy (37.9% vs 30.7%, 57.6% vs 49.6% and 64.6% vs 57.1%, respectively). The presence of diabetic retinopathy was significantly associated with increased odds of subclinical atherosclerosis (odds ratio = 1.93, 95% confidence interval = 1.03–3.60) after full adjustments. Conclusion: The presence of diabetic retinopathy was significantly associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetics in China.