European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Numerous studies have been conducted to deduce the association of serum lipid abnormality and BMI with diabetic retinopathy with inconsistent results. With a high prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus in India, diabetic retinopathy is emerging as a frequent cause of acquired blindness. Hence, the present study was conducted to assess the association of serum lipid level and BMI with different grades and severity of Diabetic Retinopathy, to facilitate future research towards preventive measures. Methods: 150 diabetic patients with retinopathy (Group I) were compared with age and sex matched 150 diabetic patients without retinopathy (Group II). All patients were assessed for serum lipid profile & BMI. Detailed fundus examination was done by indirect ophthalmoscope and 90D lenses after mydriasis with 0.8% tropicamide and 5% phenylephrine eye drops and the findings were documented by photography. Statistical analyses were performed using statistical software R version 3.5.1. The results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation for quantitative data and Pearson’s Chi-square test and t-test were used for qualitative data. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Patients with DR (Group I) were associated with higher TCL, LDL and TG than without DR (Group II). Significant positive correlation was observed between total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and severity of DR. No significant association was seen between TG and severity of DR. A significant negative correlation was observed between HDL and severity of DR. There was no significant association between BMI and severity of DR. Conclusion: Increased levels of total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and decreased level of HDL are associated with higher incidence and increased severity of DR as well as CSME, with the exception of high TG level. However, no significant association between higher BMI and severity of DR was observed. Further studies are required to strengthen the establishment of the causal relationship of these factors with diabetic retinopathy, so that appropriate treatment guidelines can be formulated to mitigate the risk of development of DR.