Risk factors of peripheral occlusive arterial disease in patients with diabetic retinopathy due to type 2 diabetes

Introduction/Objective Diabetic retinopathy, peripheral vascular disease, and other diabetic complications may lead to a lowering of quality of life, significant comorbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to analyze the risk factors of peripheral occlusive arterial disease in patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy due to type 2 diabetes. Methods We analyzed 63 patients having diabetic retinopathy (33 patients without and 30 patients with peripheral occlusive arterial disease). All the patients were asked for demographic data, medical history, physical findings, laboratory and vascular status. Results Patients that have confirmed peripheral occlusive arterial disease suffered from diabetes significantly longer (32.67 vs . 9.71 years, t = 12.834, p < 0.001), were more often smokers (23:13, x(2 )= 8.92, p < 0.05), had ischemic heart disease significantly more frequently (24:10, x(2)= 15.643, p < 0.001), used statins more frequently (21:14; x(2) = 4.84, p < 0.05), had claudication (25:4, x(2 )= 32,075, p < 0.001), hair loss (30:9, x(2) = 35,24, p < 0.001), thinned atrophic foot skin (30:12, x(2) = 28.64, p < 0.01), foot ulcers (10:1, x(2) = 10.013, p < 0.01), significantly higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values (9.31:7.17, t = 5.250, p < 0.001), as well as glycemic control (11.60:8.20, t = 4.913, p < 0.001). Conclusion It has been shown that the duration of type 2 diabetes, smoking, poor regulation of blood glucose levels and HbA1c significantly contributes to the development of diabetic retinopathy in patients having peripheral artery occlusion.