Is the pulse rate useful in assessing risk of diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema? The Wisconsin Epidemiological Study of Diabetic Retinopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the relation between pulse rate and incident diabetic retinopathy.


METHODS
Population based cohort study of people with diabetes. Resting pulse rate was measured in 30 second intervals. Diabetic retinopathy was evaluated from masked gradings of fundus photographs.


RESULTS
People with higher pulse rates were more likely to have 4 year progression of retinopathy, progression to proliferative retinopathy, and incident macular oedema than those with lower pulse rates. However, these associations were attenuated after controlling for blood pressure, glycosylated haemoglobin, and other risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulse rate may be a clinical indicator of overall risk of diabetic retinopathy, but is not independently associated with the condition.
Wong
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Department of Ophthalmology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin 53705-2397, USA. tienyinwong@yahoo.com
Moss
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Klein
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Klein
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D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011674:Pulse; D012307:Risk Factors
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin