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ELEVATED LEVEL OF URIC ACID, BUT NOT GLUCOSE, IN AQUEOUS HUMOR AS A RISK FACTOR FOR DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA IN
Yong Jie Qin1, Yu Lin Zhang1,2, Yu Qiao Zhang1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|February 17, 2022
Summary
Elevated uric acid (UA) in aqueous humor, not glucose, is a significant risk factor for diabetic macular edema (DME). Lowering UA may offer a new therapeutic approach for DME.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision loss in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
- Understanding the biochemical factors contributing to DME pathogenesis is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between aqueous humor uric acid (UA) and glucose levels and the presence of diabetic macular edema (DME) in Type 2 diabetes patients.
- To identify potential biomarkers for DME and explore novel therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study including 585 eyes of 585 patients with Type 2 diabetes (with or without DME) and control groups (nondiabetic individuals).
- Measurement of uric acid and glucose levels in aqueous humor and serum.
- Statistical analysis to determine the association of aqueous UA and glucose with DME, central retinal thickness, and other clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- Aqueous humor uric acid (UA) levels were significantly associated with central retinal thickness and were higher in severe DME cases.
- Aqueous UA was a stronger predictor of DME than aqueous glucose, serum UA, diabetes duration, or hemoglobin A1c.
- Elevated aqueous UA (≥2.46 mg/dL) independently increased the risk of DME by 5.83-fold, while elevated aqueous glucose did not.
Conclusions:
- Increased aqueous humor uric acid is an independent risk factor for diabetic macular edema (DME).
- Aqueous humor glucose levels are not significantly associated with DME.
- These findings suggest that therapies targeting uric acid reduction within the eye may be beneficial for managing DME.
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