Dr. SUCHITRA KUMARI BISWAL

Dr.RAVI SHANKAR H.N., Dr.Pradeep Sagar

Abstract

Aim:To evaluate the association between the serum total, indirect and direct bilirubin concentration with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and macular edema in patients with type2 diabetes mellitus.

Method: This was a cross sectional study of patients with type2 DM. Serum concentrationof bilirubin subtypes were measured and compared in cases with no DR,subtypes of non-proliferative DR (NPDR) and proliferative DR (PDR).

Results: Out of 315 subjects,197 cases had DR. The total, indirect and direct bilirubin concentration were significantly lower in patients with DR (0.66±0.16 mg/dl, 0.51± 0.15 mg/dl, 0.15±0.06 mg/dl ) compared to those without DR (1.03±0.13 mg/dl, 0.80± 0.13 mg/dl, 0.24±0.08 mg/dl). The concentration of total and subtypes of bilirubin were lesser in PDR compared to subtypes of NPDR.

Conclusion: An inverse association between bilirubin subtypes andseverity of DR was established in the study. Higher serum concentration of bilirubin subtypes may have a protective effect on DR.