Table 2. Comparison of the underlying comorbidities and the use of medications with a grade of DR.
| Variable | Without DR | NPDR | PDR | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 44 (74.6) | 63 (87.5) | 43 (82.7) | 0.188 |
| Dyslipidemia | 42 (71.2) | 56 (77.8) | 28 (53.8) | 0.018 |
| Myocardial infarction | 0 | 1 (1.4) | 0 | 1.000 |
| Angina | 5 (8.5) | 10 (13.9) | 6 (11.5) | 0.672 |
| Heart failure | 0 | 2 (2.8) | 2 (3.8) | 0.386 |
| Stroke (hemorrhage) | 1 (1.7) | 1 (1.4) | 1 (1.9) | 1.000 |
| Stroke (infarction) | 9 (15.3) | 9 (12.5) | 7 (13.5) | 0.962 |
| Peripheral arterial disease | 3 (5.1) | 7 (9.7) | 6 (11.5) | 0.482 |
| Hospitalization within past year | 11 (18.6) | 18 (25) | 20 (38.5) | 0.057 |
| Operation within past year | 7 (11.9) | 10 (13.9) | 11 (21.2) | 0.366 |
| Microvascular complication | ||||
| Microalbuminuria | 18 (30.5) | 26 (36.1) | 35 (67.3) | <0.001 |
| Overt proteinuria | 6 (10.2) | 13 (18.1) | 19 (36.5) | 0.003 |
| Chronic kidney disease | 11 (18.6) | 9 (12.5) | 15 (28.8) | 0.076 |
| Peripheral neuropathy | 27 (45.8) | 36 (50) | 25 (49.0) | 0.896 |
| Autonomic neuropathy | 14 (24.1) | 20 (29.9) | 22 (46.8) | 0.043 |
| Medications | ||||
| Metformin | 39 (66.1) | 50 (69.4) | 36 (69.2) | 0.920 |
| Sulfonylurea | 41 (69.5) | 40 (55.6) | 26 (50) | 0.089 |
| Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor | 24 (40.7) | 19 (26.4) | 12 (23.1) | 0.096 |
| Meglitinide | 1 (1.7) | 3 (4.2) | 4 (7.7) | 0.305 |
| Thiazolidinedione | 2 (3.4) | 2 (2.8) | 3 (5.8) | 0.715 |
| α-Glucosidase inhibitor | 0 | 1 (1.4) | 1 (1.9) | 0.745 |
| SGLT-2 inhibitor | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| GLP-1 agonist | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| Rapid-acting insulin | 1 (1.7) | 13 (18.1) | 13 (25) | <0.001 |
| Long-acting insulin | 12 (20.3) | 28 (38.9) | 26 (50) | 0.004 |
| Premixed insulin | 12 (20.3) | 14 (19.4) | 12 (23.1) | 0.872 |
| Angiotensin II receptor blocker | 30 (50.8) | 37 (51.4) | 23 (44.2) | 0.709 |
| ACEi | 3 (5.1) | 7 (9.7) | 7 (13.5) | 0.325 |
| Calcium channel blockers | 24 (40.7) | 22 (30.6) | 19 (36.5) | 0.471 |
| Diuretics | 8 (13.6) | 8 (11.1) | 6 (11.5) | 0.920 |
| β-Blockers | 2 (3.4) | 10 (13.9) | 10 (19.2) | 0.024 |
| Statin | 28 (47.5) | 46 (63.9) | 27 (51.9) | 0.147 |
| Aspirin | 13 (22.0) | 1 (1.4) | 11 (21.2) | 0.947 |
| Clopidogrel | 10 (16.9) | 14 (19.4) | 4 (7.7) | 0.167 |
| Cilostazol | 28 (47.5) | 28 (38.9) | 13 (25) | 0.051 |
Values are presented as number (%). P value for the chi-square test comparing the groups with and without DR. Statistical comparisons were performed using the chi-square test (nominal data) or the Mann-Whitney U test (continuous data).
DR, diabetic retinopathy; NPDR, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy; PDR, proliferative diabetic retinopathy; SGLT-2, sodium/glucose co-transporter 2; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide-1; ACEi, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.