2M.D. Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Cardiology Clinic, Kayseri/TURKEY
3M.D. Asistant, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Eye Clinic, Kayseri/TURKEY
4M.D. Associate Professor, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Eye Clinic, Kayseri/TURKEY Purpose: To assess endothelial function in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and non proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) by using flow mediated dilatation (FMD).
Material and Methods: 24 healthy controls (Group 1), 20 patients have diabetes without retinopathy (Group 2), 25 patients with NPDR (Group 3) and 13 patients with PDR (Group 4) are enrolled in the study. In all cases, responses of endothelial function were assessed by a cardiologist through measurement of FMD following brachial artery occlusion.
Results: Fourtyeighteen (%59) of 82 patients enrolled in the study were female and 34 (%41) patients were male. Average age of patients was 57.15±10.29. Percentage of FMD increase were as follows :15.35±5.12 in Group 1, 13.71±6.89 in Group 2, 10.24±6.26 in Group 3 and 7.54±4.60 in Group 4. The percentages of FMD increase in Group 3 and Group 4 was statistically significant lower than FMD increase percentages in Group 1 and Group 2 (p=0.001). The difference between patients with PDR and patients with NPDR was not statistically significant (p=0.560). There was no statistically significant difference in biochemical assesments except blood glucose level between groups.
Conclusion: Decrease in systemic endothelial function was observed in diabetic patients (type 2 diabetes mellitus) with proliferative and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy compared with controls and diabetic patients without retinopathy.
Keywords : Diabetes mellitus, Systemic endothelial function, flow mediated dilatation (FMD)