The relationship between diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy in Sudanese adult with diabetes: population based study

Diabetic nephropathy is responsible for nearly third of the world cases of end stage renal disease; it becomes a major public health problem with social and economic burden. The aim of this study is to explore if there is an association between retinopathy and nephropathy.

In a cross sectional hospital based study a total of 316 individuals with diabetes were recruited from Makkah eye complex retina clinic. Demographic data, medical history and life style characteristics were taken through standard questionnaire. In addition, urine samples were collected to check for presence of albuminuria, blood samples were taken to measure HbA1c, lipid profile and renal function test.

The mean age of participants was 58±10 years old. Only 39.8 and 40.2% of females were diagnosed with retinopathy and nephropathy, respectively. In addition, 60.2 and 59.8% of males were diagnosed with retinopathy and nephropathy, respectively. Hypertension was identified as risk factors for both retinopathy and nephropathy (P<0.001 and P<0.07). Serum creatinine and blood urea are significantly associated with retinopathy (P<0.01 and P<0.01). Body mass index (BMI) and HbA1c are not significantly associated with retinopathy and nephropathy. The prevalence of nephropathy among individuals with retinopathy was 35.6%. There was significant association between nephropathy and development of retinopathy (P<0.01). Logistic regression showed that two absolute risk factors are: nephropathy and having hypertension with P value of 0.009 and 0.003, respectively.

Almost third of diabetic patients developed nephropathy, significant association between nephropathy and development of retinopathy was found.