title: The effect of diabetic control on the incidence of, and changes in, retinopathy in type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between retinopathy and the levels of diabetic control found in type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. The study covered a four-year period and used retrospective, routinely recorded general practice and optometry records from 260 patients; those with retinopathy (n = 38) and those without retinopathy (n = 222). The study demonstrated a strong relationship between the presence of retinopathy and long-term diabetic control as measured by glycosylated HbA1c, disease duration and, to a lesser extent, the level of urine microalbumin. Blood pressure, cholesterol, body-mass index, and smoking status showed little association with the presence of retinopathy. We conclude that retinopathy, assessed by community optometrists, is a significant correlate of poor diabetic control.
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Sciences Research Centre, Keele University, Staffordshire. slsaum@purplenet.co.uk
authors.forename: Stephen L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Saum
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: A Martyn
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Croft
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; C025617:glucosylated hemoglobin A