Association of hypertension and diabetic retinopathy in type 2 DM patients.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the association of hypertension and diabetic retinopathy in type 2 DM patients. Study Design: Case Control study. Setting: Diabetic Clinic Department of Medicine, Independent University Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: From January 2019 to June 2019. Material & Methods: One Hundred Type 2 diabetic patients of either sex were reviewed and these patients were screened for diabetic retinopathy using welchallyn ophthalmoscope. The patients with diabetic retinopathy fulfilling the inclusion criteria were placed in group A (cases) and patients without diabetic retinopathy were placed in group B (control). After resting the patient in supine position for 5 minutes, blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken in all these patients using mercury sphygmomanometer in two successive out-patient department visits, and mean value of B.P. was taken. All patients were asked for duration of diabetes, hypertension and visual problems specifically. These patients were advised following investigations: - FBS. - RBS. - HbAlc. Relevant statistics, mean & standard deviation were computed for variables. T-test was applied on hypertension (independent) and DM retinopathy (dependent) variables. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in the patients with retinopathy (mean systolic B.P 153.4± 17.13 and mean diastolic B.P. 84.1±9.26) than in those without retinopathy (mean systolic B.P. 130.65±11.94 and mean diastolic B.P 77.3 ±6.64). There was significant correlation of diabetic retinopathy with systolic hypertension (P<0.05) and diastolic hypertension (P<0.001). Conclusion: There is strong association between diabetic retinopathy and hypertension. So early detection and treatment of hypertension can retard the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy.