ASSOCIATION OF MICROALBUMINURIA AND DIABETIC RETINOPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS

SARAVANAN AKSHARA; NITHYAPRIYA CHINNARAJU; ADARSH S NAIK; JEEVITHAN SHANMUGAM

doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2025v18i5.54206

Authors

SARAVANAN AKSHARA CRMI, KMCH Institute of Health Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
NITHYAPRIYA CHINNARAJU CRMI, KMCH Institute of Health Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
ADARSH S NAIK Department of Balagangadhar Swamy Medical College and Hospital, Nelamangala, Bangaluru, Karanataka, India.
JEEVITHAN SHANMUGAM CRMI, KMCH Institute of Health Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2025v18i5.54206

Keywords:

Diabetic retinopathy, Microalbuminuria, Type 2 diabetes, Nephropathy

Abstract

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a long-term metabolic condition marked by decreased synthesis and thereby function of insulin, which can result in serious side effects such as nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic nephropathy plays a significant role in end-stage renal disease, and diabetic retinopathy is one of the main preventable causes of blindness. In patients with type 2 DM, this study intends to investigate the relationship between diabetic retinopathy and microalbuminuria while considering other risk factors such as age, duration of diabetes, and glycemic management.

Methods: Ninety-seven patients with type 2 DM and diabetic retinopathy participated in this hospital-based cross-sectional study. Based on the American Academy of Ophthalmology diabetic retinopathy disease severity scale, participants were categorized. Spot urine samples were used to find out microalbuminuria, and Chi-square and t-tests were used to examine correlations between microalbuminuria, diabetic retinopathy, and other clinical and demographic variables.

Results: Microalbuminuria was shown to be significantly correlated (p<0.001) with the severity of diabetic retinopathy. In addition, microalbuminuria was significantly associated with older age (p=0.002) and longer diabetes duration (p<0.001). Nevertheless, no meaningful correlations were discovered between sex, treatment history, or diabetes in the family history and microalbuminuria.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of strict monitoring of microalbuminuria in patients with diabetic retinopathy, especially in the elderly and with long-duration diabetes. Early detection and management of diabetes and strict control of glycemic levels will help to prevent further complications.

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