Retinopathy and Macro-albuminuria in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Thanon Phoksunthorn MD*, Duangdao Thatsnarong MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Mettapracharak Hospital
Objective : To identify the correlation between the development of retinopathy and macro-albuminuria and
the other risk factors for the retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients.
Materials and Methods : This is a cross-sectional study. The authors studied 201 patients suffering from diabetes
type 2. Fundoscopy was performed by ophthalmologists. Macro-albuminuria was assessed by urine strip
(URICAN). Duration of diabetes, hypertension, and history of peripheral neuropathy were also evaluated.
Results : The over all prevalence of retinopathy was 26.4% (53 patients). The diabetic retinopathy had
significant correlation with the history of peripheral neuropathy (p = 0.01). There was no significant corre-
lation between high blood pressure and retinopathy (p = 0.32). The prevalence of macro-albuminuria was
14.43% (30 patients). Diabetic retinopathy and macro-albuminuria were strongly correlated (p < 0.001).
Conclusion : Macro-albuminuria is associated with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients and is a
reliable marker for the retinopathy.
Keywords : Retinopathy, Macroalbuminuria, Type 2 diabetic patients
