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. 2010 May;33(5):1018-20.
doi: 10.2337/dc09-1784. Epub 2010 Feb 11.

An association between subclinical hypothyroidism and sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients

Jin-Kui Yang  1 , Wei Liu, Jing Shi, Yi-Bing Li
Affiliations

An association between subclinical hypothyroidism and sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients

Jin-Kui Yang et al. Diabetes Care. 2010 May.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients.

Research design and methods: A total of 1,170 type 2 diabetic patients were screened for thyroid function. There were 127 type 2 diabetic patients with SCH and 200 randomly selected euthyroid type 2 diabetic patients selected. Those with more severe than moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy were classified as having sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR).

Results: The trend for severe retinopathy was significantly higher in the SCH group than in the euthyroid group (chi(2) = 20.43, P = 0.000). SCH was associated with greater prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, especially STDR [odds ratio (95% CI): 4.15 (2.17-7.96), P = 0.000] after an adjustment for age, sex, duration of diabetes, A1C, BMI, hypertension, and LDL cholesterol. Even euthyroid patients with thyroid-stimulating hormone levels between 2.0 and <4.0 microIU/ml had a higher rate of STDR then those between 0.4 and <2.0 microIU/ml (P = 0.008).

Conclusions: Type 2 diabetic patients with SCH are associated with an increased risk of STDR.

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