Is serum cholesterol associated with progression of diabetic retinopathy or macular edema in persons with younger-onset diabetes of long duration?
OBJECTIVE
To quantitate the relationships of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to the incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema 5 years later in those with younger-onset diabetes of long duration.


METHODS
Casual serum specimens for lipid values and fundus photography at the time of the lipid determinations were evaluated with regard to retinal lesions in photographs taken 5 years later during the course of a population-based cohort study.


RESULTS
Univariable associations were significant for associations of incident retinal lesions with total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but multivariable associations considering covariates were not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that lowering cholesterol by therapeutic means may not be indicated for the sole purpose of decreasing the incidence or progression of these retinal lesions.
Klein
B E
BE
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison 53705-2397, USA. kleinb@epi.ophth.wisc.edu
Klein
R
R
Moss
S E
SE
D017668:Age of Onset; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004487:Edema / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008266:Macula Lutea; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D002784:Cholesterol