Renal function and its association with retinal microcirculation and choroidal thickness in type 2 diabetes: Insights from cystatin C and creatinine.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between renal dysfunction and macular retinal microvascular density and choroidal thickness (mCT) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, patients with T2DM underwent SS-OCTA to assess superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) capillary plexus vessel densities, and SS-OCT to measure mCT. Renal function was evaluated using estimated glomerular filtration rate from cystatin C and creatinine (eGFRcr-cys). Regression analyses were performed to evaluate associations between eGFRcr-cys, retinal microvascular density, and mCT. Sensitivity analyses incorporated uric acid levels, and stratified analyses assessed the effect of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

RESULTS

Among 1,050 subjects, declining renal function was associated with reduced SCP-VD and mCT, but increased DCP-VD. After adjusting for confounders, eGFRcr-cys was positively associated with SCP-VD (β = 0.62) and mCT (β = 5.55), and negatively with DCP-VD (β = -0.69; all P < 0.05). These associations remained robust in sensitivity analyses. Stratified analyses revealed eGFRcr-cys was positively associated with SCP-VD and negatively with DCP-VD in non-DR patients, and positively associated with both SCP-VD and mCT in DR patients.

CONCLUSION

Retinal microcirculation changes in T2DM reflect renal dysfunction. These findings suggest its potential role in detecting early renal impairment, particularly in the absence of DR.