Rosiglitazone and delayed onset of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether rosiglitazone maleate, an oral peroxisome-proliferating activated receptor gamma agonist and oral insulin sensitizing agent with potential antiangiogenic activity, delays onset of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).


METHODS
Longitudinal medical record review of all patients treated with rosiglitazone receiving both medical and ophthalmic care at the Joslin Diabetes Center from May 1, 2002, to May 31, 2003 (N = 124), and matched control patients not taking a glitazone drug (N = 158). The mean duration of follow-up was 2.8 years (range, 0.3-9.0 years).


RESULTS
Baseline characteristics and final hemoglobin A(1c) values (7.6% and 7.8%, respectively) were similar in the rosiglitazone and control groups (P = .10). In eyes with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy at baseline (rosiglitazone group, 14 eyes; control group, 24 eyes), progression to PDR over 3 years occurred in 19.2% in the rosiglitazone group and 47.4% in the control group, representing a 59% relative risk reduction (Wilcoxon, P = .045; log-rank, P = .059). Fewer eyes in the rosiglitazone group experienced 3 or more lines of visual acuity loss (P = .03). The incidence of diabetic macular edema was similar in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Rosiglitazone may delay the onset of PDR, possibly because of its antiangiogenic activity. Future clinical investigations should consider analysis of this potential benefit along with ongoing evaluation of potential cardiac risk in studies where the risk-benefit profiles are deemed appropriate.
Harvard Medical School, USA.
Lucy Q
LQ
Shen
Angie
A
Child
Griffin M
GM
Weber
Judah
J
Folkman
Lloyd Paul
LP
Aiello
D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000819:agonists*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D047495:PPAR gamma; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D000077154:Rosiglitazone