Association Of Albumin Levels In Urine With Severity Of Diabetic Retinopathy In Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus –A One Year Cross Sectional Study In A Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background and Objective Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in the world that increases the chances of losing sight about 25 times higher compared to normal individuals. Early detection and identification of the risk for the development of diabetic complications are important strategies to minimize the human suffering and costs incurred from the disease. The objective of the study is to correlate the severity of diabetic retinopathy with levels of albumin in urine. Methods The study comprised a total of 100 patients with type II diabetes mellitus, examined at the Department of Ophthalmology, KLES DR.Prabhakar kore hospital, over a period of one year. Ophthalmoscopic and biomicroscopic examination of ocular fundus was done. Grading of the severity of retinopathy was done according to the ETDRS classification. Urine albumin levels were estimated by random spot urine collection method. Patients were grouped into three groups {normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria} depending on their urine albumin excretion. Results There was a significant association between macroalbuminuria and PDR (p=0.00). Microalbuminuria was found to be associated with all grades of diabetic retinopathy with skewing towards the lesser grades. Interpretation and Conclusions Microalbuminuria, as a parameter for early predictor of diabetic retinopathy is not conclusively accurate. However, the presence of overt albuminuria in diabetic patients may signify an advanced grade of diabetic retinopathy.