Publication:

Association of serum uric acid in type II diabetes mellitus patients with and without diabetic retinopathy: a case control study

Background The objective of the study was to assess the association between serum uric acid levels and diabetic retinopathy.

Methods An analytical case-control study was planned in which a total of 200 diabetic patients aged 40 to 65 years were enrolled divided into 2 groups, 100 diabetic patients with retinopathy and 100 diabetic patients without retinopathy. Both the groups of patients underwent complete ocular examination including assessment of best visual acuity, intraocular pressure, diabetic profile and uric acid assessment.

Results Prevalence of hyperuricemia was 41% in cases as compared to 19% in controls, thus depicting a significant difference between two groups. Uric acid levels of mild and moderate NPDR cases were significantly lower than that of cases with severe/very severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) while proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) cases had higher mean value as compared to all the NPDR types.

Conclusions The findings of the study suggest that diabetic retinopathy is marked by an increase in uric acid levels and hyperuricemia.