The association of serum glycated albumin with the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aims: To determine the clinical relationship between serum glycated albumin (GA) and diabetic retinopathy in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A cross-sectional study including 424 patients with T2DM was conducted. Patients were divided into groups based on the presence of diabetic retinopathy and tertiles of serum GA and 1,5-anhydroglucitol levels. Results: Patients in the highest tertile of GA had a higher risk of diabetic retinopathy than those in the lowest tertile. Further analysis divided the groups based on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, either above or below 8% (64 mmol/mol), and revealed that in those with a HbA1c below 8% (64 mmol/mol), the higher GA subgroup had an increased presence of diabetic retinopathy. Conclusions: An increased GA level was significantly correlated with the presence of diabetic retinopathy, and measuring GA levels in addition to HbA1c was beneficial as a marker for retinopathy, especially in patients with moderate glycemic control.