Abstract :
Background: Increased body mass index has been found to be associated with microvascular as well as macrovascular complications of diabetes. Factors like insulin resistance, hypertension and dyslipidemia, are found to be strongly associated with elevated BMI and obesity; which in turn contribute to microvascular changes leading to the development of retinopathy. The objective is to study the association between Body mass index and the severity of retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: This study will be conducted in the Department of ophthalmology at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Thandalam. All diabetic patients above 30 years of age whose fundus can be visualized will be taken for the study after taking informed consent. A total of 100 patients will be included in the study.
Results: With increasing severity of retinopathy the proportion of patients contributing to highest tertile of BMI rises. Non-Diabetic (22.75±3.82), No Retinopathy (23.21±4.86), Mild Retinopathy (23.79±4.87), Moderate Retinopathy (27.9±6.77), Severe Retinopathy (28.21±7.12).
Conclusion: This study observed a positive association of BMI with increasing severity of retinopathy. Larger studies keeping in mind the role of genetic predisposition and race might help in determining the role of body mass index in diabetic retinopathy.
Keyword :
Body mass index, Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic Retinopathy