HIGH SYSTOLIC BLOOD-PRESSURE INCREASES PREVALENCE AND SEVERITY OF RETINOPATHY IN NIDDM PATIENTS

OBJECTIVE - To determine whether the severity of retinopathy is higher in a group of NIDDM patients with sBP greater-than-or-equal-to 140 mmHg compared with NIDDM patients with sBP < 140 mmHg. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Ophthalmoscopy and FAG were conducted among a group of NIDDM patients with either a sBP above (n = 54) or below (n = 55) 140 mmHg. The groups were matched according to diabetes duration, metabolic control (HbA1c), and AER. RESULTS - Patients with sBP > 140 mmHg had a higher prevalence of retinopathy, as established according to a rating scale (4.9 +/- 3.8 vs. 3.2 +/- 3.3, P < 0.02); furthermore, their BMI values were higher (28.1 +/- 4.5 vs. 24.9 +/- 4.1 kg/m2, P < 0.001). The group of normotensive subjects showed the highest rate of low grading (0-2) values. However, the highest prevalence rates of 8-10 grading values (proliferative retinopathy) were found in the hypertensive group. CONCLUSIONS - These data suggest that sBP values greater-than-or-equal-to 140 mmHg favor the onset of retinopathy in NIDDM patients during their 1st 10 yr of disease.