Chlorpropamide alcohol flushing and diabetic retinopathy

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Ophthalmology
• Genetics

Background:

• "Mason-type" diabetes, a mild, dominantly inherited form, is often associated with reduced retinopathy.
• Chlorpropamide alcohol flush (C.P.A.F.) is a common, inherited reaction in these patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between C.P.A.F. status and the frequency/severity of retinopathy in non-insulin-dependent diabetics.
• To determine if genetic factors influence diabetic retinopathy prevalence.

Main Methods:

• Examined 291 non-insulin-dependent diabetics.
• Compared retinopathy incidence and severity between C.P.A.F. positive and negative participants.
• Controlled for age and diabetes duration.

Main Results:

• Diabetic retinopathy was more common and severe in C.P.A.F. negative individuals.
• Blindness due to retinopathy was almost exclusively observed in C.P.A.F. negative cases.
• Lens opacities occurred with equal frequency in both groups.

Conclusions:

• Diabetic retinopathy in non-insulin-dependent diabetes is significantly influenced by genetic factors, as indicated by the C.P.A.F. trait.
• The C.P.A.F. test may help identify individuals at higher risk for severe diabetic retinopathy.