RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AND DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Abstract

Background: The relationship between microalbuminuria and coronary events has been established. In the case of retinopathy; however, the issue is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between diabetic retinopathy and myocardial infarction as a major presentation of CAD.<br />Methods: 180 diabetic patients with and without myocardial infarction were studied in this analytical case-control study. Each group consisted of 38 females and 52 males with a mean age (SD) of 58.27 (11.38) years in the case group and 56.85 (11.11) years in the control group. The two groups were matched except for history of myocardial infarction.<br />Results: SPSS analysis of the data showed no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age and duration of diabetes (DM) [10.34 (8.17) years in the case vs. 10.54 (8.22) years in control group]. There was a significant relationship between the severity of retinopathy and duration of DM (p=0.05), but no significant relation between sex and retinopathy severity was obtained (p=0.1 in case vs. p=0.3 in control group). Although no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the severity of retinopathy (p=0.5) was detected, in the subgroup of the diabetic patients with MI and less than 5 years' duration of DM, retinopathy was more common (p=0.05).<br />Conclusion: Premature retinopathy can predict coronary events. Immediate CAD screening of all diabetic patients with retinopathy is recommended.