Metabolic Control of Diabetes Is Associated With an Improved Response of Diabetic Retinopathy to Panretinal Photocoagulation

  1. Maria G. Kotoula, MD1,
  2. George N. Koukoulis, MD2,
  3. Elias Zintzaras, PHD3,
  4. Constantinos H. Karabatsas, MD1 and
  5. Dimitrios Z. Chatzoulis, MD1
  1. 1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Thessaly School of Medicine, Larissa, Greece
  2. 2Department of Internal Medicine, University of Thessaly School of Medicine, Larissa, Greece
  3. 3Department of Biomathematics, University of Thessaly School of Medicine, Larissa, Greece
  1. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Maria G. Kotoula, MD, University Hospital of Larissa, Dept. of Ophthalmology, P.O. Box 1425, Larissa 411 10, Greece. E-mail: tomiman{at}hol.gr

Abstract

OBJECTIVE—To study the influence of glycemic control and the presence of microalbuminuria on the initial response to panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in patients with a high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—This was a prospective cohort study with a two-by-two factorial design. We used full-scattered PRP to treat 115 eyes of type 2 diabetic patients who have high-risk PDR. HbA1c (A1C) and albumin levels in 24-h urine were constantly monitored during the preenrollment, treatment, and posttreatment periods. At a follow-up visit 12 weeks after the last PRP session, the fundus was examined for characteristics of regression from high-risk PDR and the response to PRP was determined to be successful or unsuccessful. The eyes were categorized into four groups based on average A1C levels and the presence or absence of microalbuminuria. The data were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Our statistical analysis determined the probability of achieving a satisfactory response to PRP in association with A1C levels and the presence or absence of microalbuminuria.

RESULTS—Of the 115 eyes examined, 65 (56.5%) had a successful initial response to PRP and 50 (43.5%) did not. The probability of a satisfactory response to PRP was related to A1C levels (P < 0.05) but not to microalbuminuria and its interaction with hemoglobin glycosylation (P ≥ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS—Low levels of hemoglobin glycosylation (A1C <8%) during the pretreatment, treatment, and posttreatment periods are associated with a regression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy after PRP.

Footnotes

  • A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances.

    • Accepted June 27, 2005.
    • Received April 14, 2005.
« Previous | Next Article »Table of Contents

This Article

  1. doi: 10.2337/diacare.28.10.2454 Diabetes Care October 2005 vol. 28 no. 10 2454-2457
  1. » Abstract
  2. Full Text
  3. Full Text (PDF)

Current Issue

  1. December 2009, 32 (12)
  1. Current Issue
  1. Alert me to new issues of Diabetes Care