Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major health problem with long-term micro and macrovascular complications. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a sight-threatening chronic complication of diabetes mellitus in adults. In this study, we determined the frequency of DR and the relationship between Glycated Albumin (GA) levels, duration of diabetes and Microalbuminuria with DR in type 2 diabetic patients. Two hundred and fourty seven type 2 diabetic patients participated in this study. In the first examination, retinopathy was evaluated by ophthalmoscopy through dilated pupil by experienced ophthalmologist. Based on their optic fundi findings they were classified into three groups; without retinopathy, had non-proliferative DR (NPDR) and had proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). In addition, the patients were classified in three groups according to their GA levels; below 17 %, between 17 and 25% and above 25%. According to the duration of diabetes the patients were divided into three groups. First group consisted of patients who were diabetic for less than five years, the second group consists of patients who had diabetes for a period 6-10 years and the third group, who were diabetic for more than 10 years. According to our results, there was a significant relationship between duration of diabetes and DR (both nonproliferative and proliferative) (p<0.001). A similar relationship between PDR and Microalbuminuria(p<.001), between NPDR and Microalbuminuria(p<.01) was found. These results imply that duration of diabetes, GA level and Microalbuminuria are important risk factors for onset or progression of DR in type 2 DM.
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