Abstract: Diabetic Mellitus (DM) is a systemic disease that affects all body organs. Micro and macro vascular complications progress with diabetes progression. It is important to find a solution for early diagnosis of coronary artery disease that is a major cause of death in these patients. The goal of this study is to assess the relation between diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy to find coronary artery disease earlier and easier.
Method of study: This study was done by cross-sectional method. All patients with diabetes mellitus studied for micro and macro vascular complications and coronary artery disease. Coronary angiography used for diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Diabetic retinopathy diagnosed with direct ophthalmoscopy by an ophthalmologist. Diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy was done by assessment of GFR with Cockcroft-Gault method or albuminuria in 24-hour urine collection. The prevalence of coronary artery disease and nephropathy and retinopathy determined in sample and the confidence interval was estimated.
Findings: 104 patients with DM type 2 were studied. 68 (65.4%) patients had coronary artery disease. 54 (51.9%) patients had diabetic retinopathy and 40 (38.5%) had diabetic nephropathy. According to this study 47.1% patients, who had retinopathy and nephropathy at the same time had coronary artery disease as well. 23.5% of patients with retinopathy and 5.9% of patients with nephropathy had coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease was seen in 23.5% of patient without any microvascular complications.
Result: It seems that microvascular complications consist of retinopathy and nephropathy have relation with coronary artery disease. Therefore, it seems simple evaluations such as blood and urine analysis or annual ophthalmic examinations by an ophthalmologist are simple and safe ways to follow diabetic patients and with early diagnosis we could intervene for early recognition of coronary artery disease.