title: Long-term follow-up of diabetic retinopathy for up to 71 months after combined renal and pancreatic transplantation.
abstract: This study reports the course of diabetic retinopathy in 25 patients (41 eyes, 9 one-eyed patients) who had undergone successful renal and pancreatic transplantation. The mean duration of follow-up was 38 months (range, 15-71 months). Visual acuity improved in 13 eyes (32%), remained stable in 19 (46%) and deteriorated in 9 (22%); only 2 of the latter 9 eyes (5%) sustained severe visual loss according to the definition of the Diabetic Retinopathy Study Group. The frequency and severity of vitreous hemorrhage improved in 19 eyes (46%), remained unchanged in 18 (44%) and worsened in 4 (10%). In comparison with other modes of treatment such as intensified conventional insulin therapy and artificial insulin-delivery systems, the combined renal and pancreatic transplantation seems to have advantages concerning the course of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Augenklinik, Würzburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ulbig
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kampik
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thurau
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Landgraf
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Land
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014823:Vitreous Hemorrhage / Q000503:physiopathology