ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN PREDOMINANT PERIPHERAL LESIONS AND SYSTEMIC COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES MELLITUS

To examine the association between predominant peripheral lesion (PPL) with systemic microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM).

Cross-sectional, retrospective study. A total of 182 eyes from 100 diabetic patients were imaged using ultra-widefield color fundus photographs. Ultra-widefield color fundus photographs were assessed by two graders for presence and extent of PPL. Comprehensive demographic and clinical data were collected from electronic medical records. Generalized estimating equations were used to determine the association between PPL and systemic complications of diabetes mellitus.

Predominant peripheral lesion was identified in 69 out of 182 eyes [37.9%]. Both presence and extent of PPL were significantly associated with peripheral arterial disease (presence: OR = 11.36, P = 0.033; extent: OR = 1.63, P = 0.036), coronary artery disease (OR = 5.86, P < 0.001; OR = 1.82, P = 0.001), and stroke (OR = 10.11, P = 0.003; OR = 1.99, P = 0.007). The presence of PPL was also significantly associated with diabetic nephropathy (OR = 2.97, P = 0.016) and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (β = -12.66, P = 0.037). No significant associations were found between PPL and diabetic neuropathy or diabetic foot complications.

We highlight the strong link between PPL and diabetic vascular complications, suggesting their potential as an imaging biomarker of systemic vascular susceptibility. Early detection of PPL could facilitate risk stratification and proactive management of these severe complications, ultimately improving patient outcomes.