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Relationship between anemia, serum bilirubin concentrations, and diabetic retinopathy in individuals with type 2
Jin Ook Chung1, Seon-Young Park2, Dong Jin Chung1
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Abstract:
This study sought to assess the hypothesis that anemia is associated with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and investigate the factors mediating the relationship between anemia and diabetic retinopathy.In total, 1637 individuals with type 2 DM were examined in a cross-sectional study. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin level <120 g/L in women and <130 g/L in men. A logistic regression model was used to determine the association between anemia and diabetic retinopathy.Anemia was more prevalent in individuals with diabetic retinopathy. Logistic regression analysis found a statistically significant association between anemia and diabetic retinopathy after adjustment for traditional risk factors (odds ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.89, P = .009). Further adjustment for serum bilirubin levels removed the statistically significant association.In individuals with type 2 DM, anemia is related to diabetic retinopathy, and its association may be mediated by a correlated change in serum bilirubin levels.
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