Diabetic retinopathy and body fat distribution and adipokine secretion in type 2 diabetics
Reviewed by Bheemanagouda Patil

The major risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with diabetes are poor glycaemic or blood pressure control, duration of diabetes and nephropathy related to the severity of DR. Several studies suggest that DR is associated with visceral fat accumulation or obesity in type 2 diabetic patients. The link between diabetic retinopathy and adipokines is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between abdominal fat or adipokine secretion and DR in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 179 patients with type 2 diabetes were included. Each patient underwent measurement of plasma adiponectin and leptin, in addition to evaluation of body fat distribution (visceral and subcutaneous) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The severity of diabetic retinopathy was evaluated according to the classification of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and classified into three groups: absence of DR, mild or moderate DR and advanced DR. There was no significant difference between the three groups for adiponectin, leptin and visceral or subcutaneous fat accumulation. Thus they conclude that body fat distribution and adipokine secretion are not associated with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetics.

Body fat distribution and adipokine secretion are not associated with diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Dossarps D, Petit JM, Guiu B, et al.
OPHTHALMIC RESEARCH
2014;51(1):42-5.