Predictors of severity of retinopathy among subjects with early onset type 2 diabetes mellitus

Purpose: To explore the factors influencing the severity of diabetic retinopathy among early onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was undertaken among subjects with early onset type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosed with retinopathy. Demographic profiles like age, gender, duration of diabetes, co-morbidities and presence of macrovascular or microvascular complications were noted. Retina was evaluated using slit lamp biomicroscopy using 78D lens and Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Results: The study group included 135 subjects. There were 78 NPDR and 57 PDR cases. Those with PDR had higher age, longer duration of diabetes, lower Hb values, higher HbA1C and higher urine micro-albumin. They had a higher triglyceride values and lower HDL values. Conclusion: Higher age, longer duration, anemia, poor glycemic control and subclinical nephropathy were predictive of development of PDR among early onset type 2 DM subjects.