Association between lipid accumulation product and diabetic retinopathy based on a community-based survey in Chinese with type 2 diabetes

Purpose: Abnormal levels of lipid accumulation product (LAP) have been associated with risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, it is not clear whether LAP index is associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR). We investigated the association between LAP index and DR in Chinese adults with diabetes. Patients and methods: We included 427 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes aged 18-year over who participated in a community-based cross-sectional study in Shenyang. DR was addressed on retinal photographs graded using the modified Airlie House classification. LAP was defined as (waist circumference [cm]–65) × (triglycerides [mmol/L]) in men, and (waist circumference [cm]–58) × (triglycerides [mmol/L]) in women and analyzed continuously (per SD change) and categorically (quartile 1, <30; quartile 2, 30–50; and quartile 3, >50). Results: Prevalence of DR among the study population was 17.8%. The mean level of LAP was 52.96±44.01. Compared to quartile 1 level, both quartile 2 and 3 levels were associated with DR with multivariable odds ratio (95% CI) of 0.23 (0.12–0.46) and 0.27 (0.14–0.54), respectively. These associations persisted when LAP was analyzed continuously (0.57 [0.35–0.92]). Conclusion: Higher central lipid accumulation in Chinese diabetics is related to the lower risk of DR, suggesting that LAP may be useful for identifying type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who are at risk for DR.