Long-term metabolic control and retinopathy in type I diabetes: ten-year follow-up.
The causative relationship between metabolic control and long-term complications of diabetes is still under debate. Recent studies suggest that a strict glycemic control can often prevent the development of microcirculatory impairment but the role played by chronic hyperglycemia in the pathogenesis of retinopathy remains controversial. We report the results of a retrospective study of data collected on a ten-year period and concerning the relationship between glycemic control and retinopathy. A group of 46 Type I diabetic people was studied. Results indicate that the probability of developing retinopathy or of worsening the degree of a pre-existing retinopathy is higher in patients with poor metabolic control. Deterioration of metabolic control (increase of HbAlc% levels) appears to be related to a progression of retinal lesions. On the contrary, retinopathy is not influenced by aging and duration of diabetes mellitus.
Giansanti
R
R
Division of Diabetology, Ospedale Geriatrico, I.N.R.C.A., Ancona, Italy.
Boemi
M
M
Amodio
L
L
Fioravanti
P
P
Rabini
R A
RA
Fumelli
P
P
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin