Diabetic retinopathy in African-American patients linked to high intake of calories, sodium

Arch Ophthalmol. 2010;128(1):33-39.

High consumption of calories and sodium correlated with the progression of diabetic retinopathy in African Americans with diabetes, according to a study.

"In African-American patients with type 1 diabetes, high caloric and sodium intakes are significant and independent risk factors for progression to severe forms of [diabetic retinopathy]," the study authors said. "These results suggest that low caloric and sodium intakes in African-American individuals with type 1 [diabetes mellitus] may have a beneficial effect on the progression of [diabetic retinopathy] and thus might be part of dietary recommendations for this population."

The study included 469 African-American patients with type 1 diabetes who participated in a preliminary assessment between 1993 and 1998 and a follow-up evaluation between 1999 and 2004. Patients completed a food frequency questionnaire and underwent a complete eye examination and blood testing. Investigators also photographed patients' retinas to gauge the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Study results showed that patients with the highest caloric intake at the beginning of the study had a higher risk of developing sight-threatening retinopathy by the end of the 6-year study period. High sodium intake early in the study correlated with the development of macular edema, the authors said.