Publication:

Correlation of microalbuminuria and diabetic retinopathy: a retrospective study

Background By 2030, the number of people with diabetes is estimated to increase to 366 million. As the number of people with diabetes increases, the development of microvascular complications also rises. DR is responsible for 4.8% of the 37 million cases of blindness worldwide. The present population-based study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between microalbuminuria and the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy in individuals with diabetes.

Methods Patients with diabetic retinopathy who underwent urine albumin excretion testing in the retina clinic in 2022 were taken. The sample collected was a total of 200 patients with diabetic retinopathy. Each patient's clinical findings, OCT, and spot urine albumin were noted. Reports of other risk factors were collected. All parameters were compared between two groups (with and without nephropathy).

Results The prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients with diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy is higher. Patients with microalbuminuria mostly had severe NPDR and PDR.

Conclusions Patients with microalbuminuria would have more severe retinopathy compared to those without nephropathy. This study helps ophthalmologists in the early detection of the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and prevents its progression by careful monitoring.