Folate Status in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with and Without Retinopathy

Overview

Journal Clin Ophthalmol

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Specialty Ophthalmology

Date 2015 Aug 25

PMID 26300625

Citations 28

Authors

Giulia Malaguarnera

Caterina Gagliano

Salvatore Salomone

Maria Giordano

Claudio Bucolo

Antonino Pappalardo

Filippo Drago

Filippo Caraci

Teresio Avitabile

Massimo Motta

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Folate deficiency is associated with cardiovascular disease, megaloblastic anemia, and with hyperhomocysteinemia. This study has been undertaken to investigate the role of folate status during the progression of the diabetic retinopathy.

Methods: We measured the plasma levels of homocysteine, folic acid, and red cell folate in 70 diabetic type 2 patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), 65 with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), 96 without diabetic retinopathy, and 80 healthy subjects used as a control group.

Results: We found higher plasma levels of homocysteine in the NPDR group compared to the control group (P<0.001) and in the PDR group compared to control group (P<0.001) and NPDR group (P<0.01). The severity of diabetic retinopathy was associated with lower folic acid and red cell folate levels, and a significant difference was observed between PDR and NPDR groups (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The folate status could play a role in the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy.

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