Effect of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 on Diabetic Retinopathy in Pubertal Age Patients With Type 1 Diabetes

The aims of this study were to correlate diabetic retinopathy (DR) changes with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels in patients with type 1 diabetes of pubertal age group and to correlate the level of retinopathy with IGF-1 levels.

This cross-sectional study was done over 2 years and involved patients with type 1 diabetes of age 8 to 25 years. Patients presenting to Ophthalmology OPD and inpatient department along with active recruitment from old pediatrics and endocrinology records were taken for the study. Fasting serum IGF-1 was calculated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Fasting blood sugar levels were taken. Detailed ophthalmic examination was done and DR was noted in all the patients and correlated with IGF-1 levels.

A total of 46 patients with type 1 diabetes were recruited into the study. The mean age of the patients was 14.33 ± 4.36 years, with a female-to-male ratio of 3:2. No relationship of IGF-1 with age of onset of diabetes (P = 0.7) or fasting capillary blood glucose (CBG) (P = 0.6) was found, but a significant relationship was found with duration of diabetes (P = 0.001) and low IGF-1 levels (P < 0.0001).

Severity of DR in patients with type 1 diabetes is inversely related to serum IGF-1 levels. Low IGF levels are an indicator for closer follow-up and strict management of diabetes and retinopathy.