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Genetic susceptibility of diabetic retinopathy

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Abstract

Diabetes continues to be a major source of morbidity and mortality among working-age adults nationally and internationally. The microvascular complications of diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, account for a major proportion of disease-associated morbidity and likely contribute to macrovascular complications. Although glycemic control contributes to susceptibility for diabetic complications, some people with strict control develop these complications, whereas others with poor control remain complication free. This suggests a genetic contribution to disease development. Although many genes and proteins of vascular growth have been studied in association with diabetic retinopathy, no definitive major predisposing genes or functional consequences of genetic variants have been identified for microvascular complications of the disease. In this article, we review the studies done on candidate genes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, 65 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA

    Kang Zhang

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  1. Shrena Patel
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  2. Haoyu Chen
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  3. Nicholas H. Tinkham
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  4. Kang Zhang
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Correspondence to Kang Zhang.

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Patel, S., Chen, H., Tinkham, N.H. et al. Genetic susceptibility of diabetic retinopathy. Curr Diab Rep 8, 257–262 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-008-0046-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-008-0046-6

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