Is serum cholesterol associated with progression of diabetic retinopathy or macular edema in persons with younger-onset diabetes of long duration?

Abstract

To quantitate the relationships of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to the incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema 5 years later in those with younger-onset diabetes of long duration. Casual serum specimens for lipid values and fundus photography at the time of the lipid determinations were evaluated with regard to retinal lesions in photographs taken 5 years later during the course of a population-based cohort study. Univariable associations were significant for associations of incident retinal lesions with total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but multivariable associations considering covariates were not significant. Our data suggest that lowering cholesterol by therapeutic means may not be indicated for the sole purpose of decreasing the incidence or progression of these retinal lesions.