The Association between Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Diabetic Retinopathy in the Patient with Type 2 Diabetic

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and diabeticretinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this cross-sectional analytical study, 150 patientswith type 2 diabetes mellitus were assessed. The eye fundus examination was performed using fundoscopyto confirm or rule out retinopathy. Thyroid hormones were also measured by special kits to diagnosesubclinical hypothyroidism. The criteria for diagnosis of this disorder include the high serum thyrotropinconcentration (? 4mIU/L) plus normal serum free thyroxin levels. Statistical analyses were done using IBMSPSS. In the study, 34.66% suffered retinopathy. A total of 24.0% suffered subclinical hypothyroidism withhigher prevalence rate in those with retinopathy as compared with the group without retinopathy (p = 0.001).Those with diabetic retinopathy also experienced longer duration of diabetes than those without this event.(p = 0.006). Analysis show a significant role for type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.121, P = 0.003), and highTSH level (OR = 1.342, P = 0.006) to predict diabetic retinopathy.This study showed an association betweenhypothyroidism, diabetes and increased TSH with retinopathy. Retinopathy is significantly predicable withthe presence of subclinical hypothyroidism and longer duration of diabetes.