Elevated BP Predicts Development of Retinopathy in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

In adults with diabetes, hypertension is a risk factor for retinopathy and its progression; however, the association between blood pressure and development of retinopathy in adolescents is unknown. In this prospective cohort study, Australian investigators screened 1869 adolescents (median baseline age, 13.4 years) with type 1 diabetes (median diabetes duration, 4.9 years) for retinopathy at baseline and intermittently during a median 4-year follow-up.

Overall, 673 patients (36%) had or developed retinopathy. Baseline systolic BP, diastolic BP, duration of diabetes, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) level were significantly higher in patients who had or developed retinopathy than in those who did not. Systolic and diastolic BPs were signif…