Is serum cholesterol associated with progression of diabetic retinopathy or macular edema in persons with younger-onset diabetes of long duration?

Abstract

Purpose: To quantitate the relationships of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to the incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema 5 years later in those with younger-onset diabetes of long duration.

Methods: Casual serum specimens for lipid values and fundus photography at the time of the lipid determinations were evaluated with regard to retinal lesions in photographs taken 5 years later during the course of a population-based cohort study.

Results: Univariable associations were significant for associations of incident retinal lesions with total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but multivariable associations considering covariates were not significant.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that lowering cholesterol by therapeutic means may not be indicated for the sole purpose of decreasing the incidence or progression of these retinal lesions.