Hina Khan, Mazhar Ishaq, Sameer Shahid Ameen, Rizwan Hashim, Muhammad Aamir Arain, Zamir Iqbal.
The frequency of preclinical nephropathy in patients of type II diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy.
J Liaquat Uni Med Health Sci Jan ;10(01):39-43.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of preclinical nephropathy in patients with diabetic retinopathy and its correlation to the severity of retinopathy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Ophthalmology, Military Hospital (MH), Rawalpindi for six months METHODS: Ninety (90) diabetic patients (thirty in each grade of retinopathy i.e. background, preproliferative and proliferative) with no known renal dysfunction were included in the study. They were investigated for albumin/creatinine ratio of a spot urine sample. The outcome of renal function was described as either positive or negative. The cutoff value for albumin creatinine ratio was 300 mg/g. The various grades of retinopathy were compared to the values of urine albumin creatinine ratio, to find the correlation. RESULTS: Five (17%) patients with background diabetic retinopathy had preclinical nephropathy. Seventeen (60%) patients with preproliferative diabetic retinopathy and 27 (90%) of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy had preclinical nephropathy. The frequency of nephropathy correlated to the severity of retinopathy (correlation co efficient, r value: 0.630) and p value of <0.001. CONCLUSION: It is important for ophthalmologists to carefully consider the renal status of any patient with retinopathy as this can influence the progression of retinopathy and its response to treatment.

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