title: Progression of diabetic retinopathy correlated with muscle perfusion disturbances of the lower limbs, with clinically important diagnostic recommendations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between microvascular and macrovascular disturbances in patients with type 2 diabetes, as shown by results of ophthalmological examination and by vascular and perfusion examinations of the lower limbs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 85 patients with type 2 diabetes and an additional cardiovascular risk factor were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent complex ophthalmological examination, including fundus colour photography and fluorescein angiography, and were divided into two groups: group I with signs of diabetic non-proliferative retinopathy (NPDR), and group II with signs of diabetic proliferative retinopathy (P/PDR). After collection of the general medical history and analysis of medical data, patients underwent vascular and muscle perfusion examination of the lower limbs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the P/PDR group, disturbances of lower-limb perfusion were more frequent than in the NPDR group. Analysis of the blood flow and results of lower-limb muscle perfusion for the two groups showed a significant relationship with the severity of microvascular complications observed in examination of the fundus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ophthalmological assessment of the progression of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes is a reliable indicator of the changes in peripheral vessel systems and perfusion defects in the lower limbs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological, Isotopic Diagnostics and Therapy, Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Wiesław
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tryniszewski
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gadzicki
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Maziarz
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuśmierczyk
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goś
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rysz
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banach