Abstract

Background: The influence of non-ophthalmic parameters on the prevalence of clinically significant macular oedema has not been unambiguously established. The present study was initiated with the aim of clarification.

Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 656 type 1 and 328 type 2 diabetic subjects undergoing retinopathy screening in the county of North Jutland. The association between the presence of clinically significant macular oedema and blood pressure, HbA1c, BMI, age, onset of diabetes, duration of diabetes, blood-pressure-reducing medication, lipid-lowering medication, neuropathy and urinary albumin excretion was explored using multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results: We found no significant association between the presence of clinically significant macular oedema and any of the examined parameters in type 1 diabetic subjects. In type 2 diabetic subjects, the duration of diabetes, HbA1c, neuropathy and increased urinary albumin excretion was significantly associated with the presence of clinically significant macular oedema.

Conclusions: The risk factors for clinically significant macular oedema differ in type 1 and type 2 diabetic subjects and can account only in part for this manifestation.