The change points of HbA(1C) for detection of retinopathy in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients

Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2011 Mar;91(3):401-5. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2010.11.029. Epub 2010 Dec 13.

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the change points of HbA(1C) for detection of retinopathy in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional investigation included 992 diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients, who received non-mydriatic digital fundus photography examination. Joinpoint regression software was adopted to identify the change points of HbA(1C) in association with retinopathy prevalence.

Results: The mean age of all patients was 59.1 ± 8.4 years and the duration of diabetes was 5.5 (95% CI: 5.2-5.9) years. The prevalence of retinopathy was 10.3% in total, and 4.1%, 7.4% and 19.6% in patients with different diabetes duration of ≤ 5 years, 5-10 years and >10 years, respectively. The change point of HbA(1C) was 6.5% (95%CI 5.8-7.5%), at which retinopathy prevalence began to rise sharply. Furthermore, in subjects with diabetes duration ≤ 5 years, 5-10 years and >10 years, the change points of HbA(1C) were 8.1% (95%CI 7.9-8.3%), 6.1% (95%CI 5.7-6.8%), 5.6% (95%CI 5.1-8.1%) for detection of retinopathy, respectively.

Conclusion: The steepest increase in retinopathy prevalence occurred when HbA(1C) reached 6.5%. However, the duration of diabetes should be taken into concern, when using the change points of HbA(1C) for detection of retinopathy in diabetic patients.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Asian People
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / diagnosis*
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / epidemiology
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Software

Substances

  • Glycated Hemoglobin A