Related Risk Factors between Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis and Diabetic Retinopathy in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in China.

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical features and related risk factors in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and subclinical atherosclerosis, the micro- and macro-vascular diseases in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS: A retrospective study of 435 cases of inpatients with newly diagnosed T2DM from 2013-2017, and compare the 2 types of T2DM related vascular complications.

RESULTS: The macro- and microvascular complications are not rare at this stage. Subclinical atherosclerosis was found in 251 subjects (57.7%), which was higher than that of DR (13.1%). In addition, some cases of subclinical atherosclerosis co-existed with DR, suggesting that DR was related with subclinical atherosclerosis (r=0.098, P=0.041). Older age showed a significant association with both subclinical atherosclerosis and DR. Single factor analysis indicated that dyslipidemia was the common risk factor in DR and subclinical atherosclerosis.

CONCLUSIONS: It should be paid attention to the screening of both DR and subclinical atherosclerosis in each age group of newly diagnosed T2DM. Except for the control of blood glucose, the control of the dyslipidemia is important in the prevention and treatment of the micro- and macro-vascular diseases.