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Alcohol consumption and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy
Objective:
To determine if alcohol consumption is associated with the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy.
Participants:
This study surveyed a population-based sample (n = 1210) of younger-onset diabetic persons (diagnosed before age 30 years and taking insulin) and a stratified random sample (n = 1780) of older-onset diabetic persons (diagnosed after age 30 years). Baseline and 4-year follow-up examinations completed by 996 and 891 (730 by persons age 21 or older) younger-onset persons, respectively, and 1370 and 987 older-onset persons, respectively. Data analyzed are from the 4-year follow-up examination. Questionnaires concerning consumption were completed at follow-up.
Main Outcome Measure:
Diabetic retinopathy as determined from stereographic fundus photography.
Results:
After controlling for known risk factors in the adult younger-onset group, average alcohol consumption, as determined by questionnaire, was inversely associated with prevalence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), odds ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.27 to 0.92. The trend was similar for recent consumption, odds ratio, 0.63; confidence interval, 0.37 to 1.09. In the older-onset groups taking or not taking insulin, average or recent alcohol consumption or usage history were not significantly associated with the prevalence of any retinopathy or PDR.
Conclusions:
Alcohol consumption does not appear to increase the risk of retinopathy and may have a beneficial effect in younger-onset persons, although further study is needed.