Blood pressure may predict retinopathy in adolescent type 1

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Adolescents with type 1 diabetes and systolic or diastolic blood pressure on or above the 90th percentile may be at an increased risk for retinopathy.

According to recent data from researchers at Children’s Hospital at Westmead, the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales in Australia, age, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, height and log albumin excretion rate may also be predictors of retinopathy.

The prospective cohort study included 1,869 patients with type 1 diabetes. The median age at baseline was 13.4 years. The researchers screened patients for diabetes complications and measured systolic and diastolic BP.

During follow-up, 673 patients developed retinopathy. Baseline age, rate of albumin excretion and prevalence of microalbuminuria did not differ between patients who developed retinopathy and those who did not. However, systolic and diastolic BP, duration of diabetes and HbA1c levels were higher in those who developed retinopathy.

Patients with an albumin excretion rate <7.5 mcg/minute (n=1,025) had a higher cumulative risk for retinopathy at 10 years’ duration of diabetes if their systolic BP was on or above the 90th percentile (58%), compared with those below the 90th percentile (35%; P=.03).

Similar results were found for those with diastolic BP on or above the 90th percentile (57%), compared with those below the 90th percentile (35%; P=.005). – by Stacey L. Adams