Frequency of Diabetic Retinopathy and Microalbuminuria in Newly Diagnosed Type II Diabetes Mellitus patients and their association with each other

Aim: To determine the frequency of diabetic retinopathy and microalbuminuria in newly diagnosed patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This descriptive case series study was conducted at Medicine Department of Combined Military Hospital Lahore from March 2014 to August 2014. One hundred and fifty seven (157) newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were selected for this study via non probability purposive sampling. All patients had detailed fundus examination and microalbuminuria was diagnosed by calculating albumin-creatinine ratio. Association between retinopathy and microalbuminuria was also recorded. Results: This study showed that the frequency of diabetic retinopathy and microalbuminuria in newly diagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus was 21.66% and 29.94% respectively. It also concluded that diabetic retinopathy and microalbuminuria were strongly associated with each other as 14.65% patients had evidence of both. (P value < 0.05) Conclusion: Every newly diagnosed patient of type 2 diabetes mellitus should have a detailed fundus examination and should be screened for microalbuminuria at the time of diagnosis. This will help us in early detection and prompt treatment of these complications saving a large number of patients from morbidity and mortality.