Risk factors of diabetic retinopathy in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

A prospective study was carried out in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients who attended the Diabetic Clinic of Chonburi Hospital from 1991 to 1992. Laboratory investigations, physical examination of vascular disorders, and fundus examination were done. 198 cases with complete data were analysed. Of these patients, sixty three cases had retinopathy, 54 cases had background diabetic retinopathy and 9 cases had proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The average duration of diabetes with diabetic retinopathy was 7.4 +/- 5.0 years compared to 4.8 +/- 3.6 years of diabetes without diabetic retinopathy. The mean age of patients with and without diabetic retinopathy was significantly different. The highest rate of diabetic retinopathy was in the range of 51-60 age group. Fasting blood levels of glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic), alcohol drinking, and cigarette smoking were not different between diabetic retinopathy and non-detected diabetic retinopathy patients but inadequate exercise might be related to retinopathy.