501-P: Differences in Disease Severity and Treatment for Diabetes-Related Retinopathy between Type 1 and 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes-related retinopathy (DR) is a neurovascular complication of both type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes, the prevalence of which strongly correlates to both the duration of diabetes and blood glucose levels. DR severity level has been reported to be worse in patients with T1D than in T2D but few studies have reported on treatment outcomes.

Objective: To determine differences in the level of DR, central subfoveal thickness (CST), and treatment outcomes for those with T1D and T2D.

Methods: A retrospective chart review.

Covariates: age, sex, type of DM, last A1c, level of retinopathy, and visual acuity.

Primary Outcome: Level of DR. Secondary Outcomes: CST, IVI use, and frequency for DME. ICD-10 codes identified 10,026 patients with diabetes who were seen in 2021 at Retina Associates in Kansas City. Retrospectively screened 1,000 consecutive patient medical records from this cohort and excluded those with incomplete records and those who had a second diagnosis that could cause macular edema.

Results: Characteristics of 321 patients with DR and treatment needs are described in the table below and used for analysis. Conclusions: Comparing those with T1D and T2D we found a statistical difference in those with T1D being younger, having less HTN, and higher levels of DR. Despite these findings there was no difference in visual acuity and need or frequency of intravitreal injections.