RESUMO
AIMS: The link between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and adipokines is controversial. Some studies suggest that visceral fat and adipokines could be additional risk factors for DR. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between abdominal fat or adipokine secretion and DR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: A total of 179 patients with type 2 DM were included. Each patient underwent measurement of plasma adiponectin and leptin and an evaluation of body fat distribution (visceral and subcutaneous) with MRI. The severity of DR was evaluated according to the classification of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Patients were classified in 3 groups: absence of DR, mild and moderate DR, and advanced DR (severe, proliferative and laser-treated DR). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 3 groups for adiponectin, leptin and visceral or subcutaneous fat accumulation. Patients with DR had a mean duration of diabetes, serum creatinine concentration and percentage of macroalbuminuria significantly higher than patients without DR (p < 0.001, p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). Serum adiponectin increased with the diabetic nephropathy stage (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that body fat distribution and adipokine secretion are not associated with DR in patients with type 2 DM.