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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
05:54
Quantification of Diabetes-induced Adherent Leukocytes in Retinal Vasculature
Published on: January 24, 2025
Ethnic differences in diabetic retinopathy
1Waikato Clinical School, University of Auckland, Hamilton, New Zealand. dsworkster@gmail.com
Summary
Diabetic retinopathy is more prevalent in Maori and Pacific peoples compared to Europeans with Type 2 diabetes. Factors like diabetes duration and ethnicity influence retinopathy risk more than blood sugar levels.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Diabetology
- Public Health
Background:
- Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss.
- Ethnic disparities in diabetes complications are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among European, Maori, and Pacific peoples with diabetes.
- To identify risk factors associated with diabetic retinopathy in diverse ethnic groups.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 458 participants with diabetes (Europeans, Maori, Pacific peoples).
- Biomedical assessment, retinal photography, and measurement of glycemia (HbA1c, fructosamine, random glucose).
Main Results:
- Moderate to severe diabetic retinopathy was significantly more common in Maori (12.9%) and Pacific peoples (15.8%) than Europeans (4.0%) with Type 2 diabetes (P=0.003).
- Retinopathy risk was associated with diabetes duration, insulin therapy, ethnicity, and renal disease, but not glycaemia levels.
- Pacific people had a higher prevalence of cataracts.
Conclusions:
- Moderate to severe diabetic retinopathy is more prevalent in Polynesian populations (Maori and Pacific peoples) compared to Europeans.
- While higher hyperglycemia was observed in Polynesians, the increased retinopathy risk appears linked to other factors such as longer diabetes duration and ethnicity.
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