The average 30-minute post-prandial C-peptide predicted diabetic retinopathy progress: a retro-prospective study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Ophthalmology
• Metabolic Diseases

Background:

• The association between Connecting peptide (C-peptide) and diabetic chronic complications remains debated.
• Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a significant microvascular complication of diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between average C-peptide levels and the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Main Methods:

• A retro-prospective study involving 622 type 2 diabetes patients.
• Diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression was assessed via non-mydriatic fundus photography.
• Fasting and postprandial C-peptide levels were measured; statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U, chi-square, Spearman correlation, and multivariable logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Patients with DR progression exhibited lower average 30-minute and 120-minute postprandial C-peptide levels and increments compared to those without progression.
• Multivariable logistic regression indicated that 30-minute postprandial C-peptide and its increment were associated with reduced odds of DR progression (OR=0.83 and 0.74, respectively).

Conclusions:

• Average 30-minute post-prandial C-peptide levels and their increments are negatively correlated with DR progression.
• These findings underscore the importance of preserving residual beta-cell function for the prevention of DR progression.