Prognostic Factors and Retinopathy in Type 1 Diabetics in Iceland

Abstract

Prognostic factors, particularly those related to metabolic control, were analyzed individually over a period of 12 mo. prior to fundus photography in 149 type 1 (insulin-dependent, ketosis-prone) diabetics in Iceland. Patients without retinopathy in their first 20 yr of diabetes visited the Diabetic Clinic significantly more frequently than those with retinopathy (P < 0.05). Mean blood sugar values and mean percent body weight did not differ between patients with or without retinopathy. Few patients were obese. In patients with 5-9 yr duration of diabetes, retinopathy was first seen after 7.7 .+-. 0.3 yr (mean .+-. SEM [standard error of the mean]). Those with retinopathy were significantly older at the time of the diagnosis of diabetes than those without eye lesions (P < 0.025), a tendency also noted in those with 10-19 yr duration (P < 0.10). Conversely, patients without retinopathy after diabetes for 20 yr or more were significantly older at the time of diagnosis (P < 0.02). They used significantly less insulin daily than those with retinal lesions (P < 0.005) and 70% were females. Subsequently, a significant (P < 0.047) male excess was found to characterize a group of patients with proliferative retinopathy.