Antimyeloperoxidase antibody is a biomarker for progression of diabetic retinopathy

AimTo study the correlation between serum antimyeloperoxidase (MPO) antibody levels with severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR).MethodsStudy subjects included 60 consecutive cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM): no diabetic retinopathy (NODR, n = 20); nonproliferative DR (NPDR, n = 20); proliferative DR (PDR, n = 20) and 20 healthy controls. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured on logMAR scale. Serum anti-MPO antibody levels were evaluated using ELISA IgG kit. Serum urea and creatinine was measured using standard protocol. Data were analysed statistically.ResultsMean serum anti-MPO antibody (RU/ml) was 16.94 ± 4.85 in controls, 17.66 ± 4.78 in NODR, 21.51 ± 5.27 in NPDR and 37.27 ± 11.92 in PDR groups. On ANOVA, significant difference in visual acuity was found among the study groups (F = 73.46, p < 0.001). Serum anti-MPO antibody was correlated significantly with decrease in visual acuity (F = 48.40, p < 0.001), increase in serum urea (F = 128.13, p < 0.001) and creatinine (F = 77.10, p < 0.001).ConclusionIncrease in serum anti-MPO antibody levels correlate with increased severity of DR. Serum anti-MPO antibody may be a noteworthy biochemical marker for progression of retinopathy from nonproliferative to proliferative stage.