Comparison of diabetic retinopathy phenotype between Latinos and Blacks

The objective of this study was to delineate the difference in the phenotype of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Latinos versus Blacks using characteristics shown on fundus photography (FP) and fluorescein angiography (FA).

This was a retrospective chart review of 203 adult Black and Latino diabetic patients from the King-Drew Medical Center eye clinic from January 1998 to March 2005. Systemic risk factors such as HbA(1c) and kidney function data were collected. FP and FA were analyzed and graded according to Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study criteria. Statistical analysis was performed to determine whether a given lesion type was more characteristic of a particular racial group.

Gender, age, median microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), and average HbA(1c) values were not significantly different between the groups. The presence of clinically significant macular edema (CSME), focal or diffuse, was very high in both groups (44% in Latinos and 46% in Blacks), and the overall DR grades were similar. However, upon individual lesion analysis, the Latinos were noted to have more prevalent intraretinal hemorrhages involving a greater area of the retina (P=.046).

Although Latinos and Blacks of comparable age and glycemic control are equally at risk for CSME and proliferative retinopathy, Latinos may be at greater risk for a specific phenotype of DR characterized by extravasation of intraretinal hemorrhages, which is associated with poor prognosis. Further prospective studies may uncover racial differences that may have implications for prognosis and therapy.