The metabolic syndrome and the risk of Development of Diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: This work aimed to study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus and its effect on the risk of development of diabetic retinopathy. Material and Methods: One hundred type 2 diabetic patients were randomly selected at the diabetes clinic in Assiut University Hospital. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in the presence of at least two of the following: Blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg, waist circumference ≥ 88 cm in females and ≥ 102 cm in males, serum triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dl and serum highdensity lipoprotein (HDL-C) ≤ 50 mg/dl in women and ≤ 40 mg/dl in men. Also, detailed fundus examination using the direct ophthalmoscope was done to all patients. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus was 55%. Type 2 diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome had a higher proportion of diabetic retinopathy than those without metabolic syndrome (51% vs. 10% respectively). Also, the study showed that the more the metabolic syndrome component score (two, three, and four), the higher the proportion of diabetic retinopathy (32%, 50%, and 80% respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among type 2 diabetic patients was 55% and it was significantly associated with the development of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus.