Cataract and type 1 diabetes mellitus

To evaluate the prevalence of cataract and the possible factors associated with cataract in young type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM).

293 patients were evaluated. The association of cataract with diabetic retinopathy (DR), retinal laser treatment, hypertension, body mass index, peripheral neuropathy, lipid profile, glycemic control, serum creatinine and albuminuria was evaluated.

Cataract was present in 19.8% (n=58) of the sample. Patients with cataracts were older, had a higher frequency of history of retina photocoagulation treatment, higher serum creatinine values and higher prevalence of arterial hypertension. There was a progressive increase in cataract frequency according to the number of risk factors, starting to rise with two or more. In logistic regression model cataract was associated with mild/moderate DR (odd ratio (OR) 4.28 95% CI 1.63-11.29), severe DR (OR 4.07 95% CI 1.63-10.23) and macroalbuminuria (OR 2.34 95% CI 1.06-5.16).

These data indicate a high prevalence of cataract in subjects with type 1 DM attending a general hospital in Southern Brazil and suggest that the more severe the disease process the greater is the risk of having this diabetic complication. Cataract should be suspected in young patients with two or more risk factors.