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

•This study finds that an increased serum glycated albumin level is significantly related with the presence of diabetic retinopathy.•The measurement of glycated albumin in addition to HbA1c could be beneficial as a predictor for diabetic retinopathy, especially in patients with moderately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AimsTo determine the clinical relationship between serum glycated albumin (GA) and diabetic retinopathy in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsA 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.ResultsPatients 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.ConclusionsAn 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.