Association of glycemic control with progression of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Malaysia

• Main Authors: Huri, Hasniza Zaman, Chua, Chew Huey, Mustafa, Norasyikin, Mohamad, Nor Fadhilah, Kamalden, Tengku Ain
• Format: Article
• Published: Universidade de Sao Paulo 2018
• Subjects: R Medicine
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/21853/; https://doi.org/10.1590/s2175-97902018000217484
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

The risk of having microvascular complication is high among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, factors associated with the glycemic control and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in T2DM patients is limited. This study aims to determine association between anti-diabetic agents, glycemic control and progression of diabetic retinopathy in a Malaysian population. A retrospective study conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia, from January 2009 until March 2014. This study enrolled 104 patients aged 40-84 years, with a mean age 63.12 ± 9.18 years. patients had non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR, 77%) and 35% had proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Diabetic macula edema (DME) was present in 20% of NPDR patients, compared with 7% in PDR. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (p=0.012), age (p=0.014) and number of antidiabetic agents used (p=0.015) were significantly associated with stages of diabetic retinopathy. Family history of T2DM (p=0.039) was associated with DME. Identifying factors influencing the progression of diabetic retinopathy may aid in optimizing the therapeutic effects of anti-diabetic agents in T2DM patients.