Interaction analysis of systolic blood pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetic retinopathy: A Chinese sample

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate (1) the association of blood pressure (BP) profiles and glucose profiles with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and (2) the interaction between BP profiles and glucose profiles in DR in a Chinese sample. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 984 DR patients. Demographic data, BP profiles, glucose profiles, renal function parameters, and medical histories were recorded. All the participants underwent testing for DR with digital nonmydriatic fundus photography and image analysis, using a standardized protocol. A multiple variable logistic regression (MLR) was employed to detect the associations and interactions of BP profiles and glucose profiles with DR. Results: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were significantly correlated with DR ([Formula: see text] for SBP, [Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text] for HbA1c, [Formula: see text]). An interaction between SBP and HbA1c was detected in a multiple logistic regression (MLR) model after adjustment for relevant potential confounders ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]). Conclusion: The present study suggested that SBP and HbA1c were independently and significantly associated with DR and that SBP interacted with HbA1c to impact on DR.