[Relationship between retinopathy development and systemic factors in type 2 childhood diabetes].
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the relationship between systemic factors and the development of retinopathy in patients with type 2 childhood diabetes.


METHODS
We evaluated the relationship between retinopathy incidence and systemic factors (i.e., sex, age at diagnosis, and mean HbA(1c)) in 36 patients (11 boys and 25 girls).


RESULTS
Ten of the 36 cases (28%) developed retinopathy during a mean observation period of 7 years and 11 months. Retinopathy was found only in female patients. The mean HbA(1c) value correlated significantly with the onset of retinopathy. The incidence of retinopathy in the patients with mean HbA(1c) values less than 8.0% was 0% at 5 and 10 years, and 5% at 15 years. On the other hand, the incidence of retinopathy in the patients with mean HbA(1c) values of 8.0% or more was 44% at 5 years, and 56% at 10 and 15 years after the diagnosis of diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
As female patients with mean HbA(1c) values of 8.0% or more have a high risk of developing retinopathy, strict blood glucose control and frequent ophthalmologic examinations are necessary.
Lee
Zeon
Z
Department of Ophthalmology, Nihon University School of Medicine, 1-8-13 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 101-8309, Japan. director@eyedoctors.jp
Sato
Yukihiro
Y
Urakami
Tatsuhiko
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006454:Hemoglobins; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human