Retinopathy and macro-albuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the correlation between the development of retinopathy and macro-albuminuria and the other risk factors for the retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study. The authors studied 201 patients suffering from diabetes type 2. Fundoscopy was performed by ophthalmologists. Macro-albuminuria was assessed by urine strip (URICAN). Duration of diabetes, hypertension, and history of peripheral neuropathy were also evaluated. RESULTS: The over all prevalence of retinopathy was 26.4% (53 patients). The diabetic retinopathy had significant correlation with the history of peripheral neuropathy (p = 0.01). There was no significant correlation between high blood pressure and retinopathy (p = 0.32). The prevalence of macro-albuminuria was 14.43% (30 patients). Diabetic retinopathy and macro-albuminuria were strongly correlated (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Macro-albuminuria is associated with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients and is a reliable marker for the retinopathy.