Association of Microalbuminuria and Bevacizumab Therapy Outcomes in Diabetic Retinopathy Patients

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a visual impairment-related eye disease developed by long-term hyperglycemic status. Diabetic condition in DR patients leads to diabetic organopathies (e.g., renal failure). Albuminuria, as a hallmark of renal failure, can be correlated with visual indicators in DR patients.

This study aimed to investigate the role of albuminuria status in visual acuity (VA) and bevacizumab therapy outcomes in DR patients.

In this retrospective study, 48 DR patients were admitted to the Ophthalmology Center of Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital, affiliated with Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. The retinopathy status and VA were identified before and after treatment through 45 days of bevacizumab therapy. In addition, fast blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, urine albumin, and urine creatinine were evaluated using standard laboratory methods.

The VA value before treatment in microalbuminuric DR patients (0.106 ± 0.036) was significantly lower than nonmicroalbuminuric DR patients (0.347 ± 0.286; P < 0.001). Furthermore, VA value after treatment in microalbuminuric DR patients (0.115 ± 0.071) was significantly lower than non-microalbuminuric DR patients (0.355 ± 0.272; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the percentage of VA increase between microalbuminuric and non-microalbuminuric patients. Moreover, the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) was correlated with a lower VA level before and after treatment (P < 0.001 for both). There was no correlation between the percentage of VA increase with ACR, albumin, and creatinine.

The current study results showed that different VA before and after bevacizumab therapy status was correlated with microalbuminuria status. Additionally, microalbuminuria status did not affect the percentage of VA increase in the treatment of DR patients.