Retinopathy associated with blood pressure, lipids and obesity

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — Retinopathy is a multifactorial microvascular complication now found to be associated with blood pressure, lipid concentrations and body mass, according to results from a population-based study here.

The Hoorn Study is a population-based study that included 2,484 50- to 74-year-old Caucasians. A subsample of 626 people were assessed to determine the prevalence of retinopathy in patients with normal glucose metabolism, impaired glucose metabolism, newly diagnosed diabetes and known diabetes.

The prevalence of retinopathy was 9% in people with normal glucose metabolism, 11% in those with impaired glucose metabolism, 13% in newly diagnosed diabetics and 34% in known diabetics. The prevalence of retinopathy was also associated with elevated blood pressure, body mass, cholesterol and triglyceride serum levels. Elevated blood pressure and plasma total and LDL cholesterol levels showed associations with retinal hard exudates.

The study is published in the August issue of Diabetes Care.