THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS AND DIABETIC-RETINOPATHY

This study evaluates the relationship between hemoglobin levels and di abetic retinopathy. Hemoglobin values measured in 1991 and 1992 were c ollected from 1691 subjects attending a diabetic clinic in Oulu, Finla nd, and the mean values for the two years were used in the analyses. A classification of retinopathy, based on non-mydriatic photographs tak en in 1991 and 1992, was used as the outcome variable. Multiple logist ic regression analyses, controlled for serum creatinine levels, protei nuria, and other prognostic factors associated with diabetes, showed t hat the odds ratio of having any retinopathy was 2.0 (95% confidence i nterval 1.2-3.3) among subjects with a hemoglobin level of less than 1 2 g/dl, as compared with those having a hemoglobin level greater than or equal to 12 g/dl. Among the retinopathic subjects with low hemoglob in levels, the relative odds of having a severe retinopathy rather tha n a mild one was 5.3 (2.3-12.6). We conclude that subjects with normoc ytic anemia tended to have an increased risk of retinopathy, especiall y of the severe form. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.