Inflammatory biomarkers and progression of diabetic retinopathy in African Americans with type 1 diabetes

• Published in: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science Vol. 54; no. 8; pp. 5471 - 5480
• Main Authors: Roy, Monique S, Janal, Malvin N, Crosby, Juan, Donnelly, Robert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 13.08.2013
• Subjects: Adult; African Americans; Biomarkers - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - ethnology; Diabetic Retinopathy - blood; Diabetic Retinopathy - ethnology; Diabetic Retinopathy - etiology; Disease Progression; Humans; Incidence; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - complications; Inflammation - ethnology; Male; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; United States - epidemiology; Young Adult; United States; African Americans; diabetic retinopathy; inflammation; incidence; biomarkers
• ISSN: 1552-5783; 0146-0404; 1552-5783
• DOI: 10.1167/iovs.13-12212

We examined whether baseline plasma levels of markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are associated with the incidence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in African Americans with type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (T1DM). At baseline and follow-up examinations, detailed ocular examination, structured clinical interview, venous blood specimens, and masked grading of seven standard field retinal photographs were obtained. Baseline plasma levels of 28 inflammatory biomarkers, measured using multiplex bead analysis system, were measured in the participants. After adjusting for age, glycemic control, and other potential confounders, baseline plasma levels of E-selectin were associated significantly with progression of DR, E-selectin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels with incidence of proliferative DR (PDR), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and TNF-α levels with incidence of macular edema (ME). In African Americans with T1DM, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction precede the development of DR, thus supporting the notion that inflammation may influence progression/incidence of disease.