The relationship between diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy in Sudanese adult with diabetes: population based study.
BACKGROUND
Diabetic nephropathy is responsible for nearly third of the world cases of end stage renal disease; it becomes a major public health problem with social and economic burden. The aim of this study is to explore if there is an association between retinopathy and nephropathy.


METHODS
In a cross sectional hospital based study a total of 316 individuals with diabetes were recruited from Makkah eye complex retina clinic. Demographic data, medical history and life style characteristics were taken through standard questionnaire. In addition, urine samples were collected to check for presence of albuminuria, blood samples were taken to measure HbA1c, lipid profile and renal function test.


RESULTS
The mean age of participants was 58±10 years old. Only 39.8 and 40.2% of females were diagnosed with retinopathy and nephropathy, respectively. In addition, 60.2 and 59.8% of males were diagnosed with retinopathy and nephropathy, respectively. Hypertension was identified as risk factors for both retinopathy and nephropathy (P<0.001 and P<0.07). Serum creatinine and blood urea are significantly associated with retinopathy (P<0.01 and P<0.01). Body mass index (BMI) and HbA1c are not significantly associated with retinopathy and nephropathy. The prevalence of nephropathy among individuals with retinopathy was 35.6%. There was significant association between nephropathy and development of retinopathy (P<0.01). Logistic regression showed that two absolute risk factors are: nephropathy and having hypertension with P value of 0.009 and 0.003, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Almost third of diabetic patients developed nephropathy, significant association between nephropathy and development of retinopathy was found.
Department of Medicine and HIV Metabolic Clinic, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Eaglestone, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK. Electronic address: elziber@yahoo.com.
Mohamed H
MH
Ahmed
Public and Tropical Heath Program, Graduate College, University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan.
Einas S
ES
Elwali
Department of Community Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan. Electronic address: heithamawadalla@gmail.com.
Heitham
H
Awadalla
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan. Electronic address: a.elmobarak@yahoo.com.
Ahmed O
AO
Almobarak
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human
Diabetes; Diabetic retinopathy; Nephropathy; Sudan