Absence of Beta-Cell Function Tied to Earlier Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy occurs earlier in type 1 diabetics when beta-cell function is undetectable within 10 years of disease onset, researchers report.

As reported by, Dr. Koji Nakanishi, from Toranomon Hospital, they analyzed the relationship between the rate of beta-cell destruction and the onset of retinopathy using data from 254 patients with type 1 diabetes.

At 5 years after diabetes onset, no difference in the occurrence of retinopathy was seen between patients with and without detectable beta-cell function. At 10, 15, and 20 years, by contrast, retinopathy was significantly more common in patients without beta-cell function.

At 15 and 20 years, higher HbA1c values were seen in patients without detectable beta-cell function, the report indicates. Predictors of both early beta-cell loss and earlier onset of retinopathy included HLA-A24 and -DQA1*03 positivity and acute diabetes onset.

Further analysis confirmed undetectable beta-cell function at 10, 15, and 20 years as an independent risk factor for diabetic retinopathy.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008;93:4759-4766.