Intake of Gnetum Africanum and Dacryodes Edulis, Imbalance of Oxidant/Antioxidant Status and Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy in Central Africans

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of DR and to correlate cardiometabolic, sociodemographic, and oxidant/antioxidant imbalance data to the prevalence of DR.

Design

This case-control study included type 2 DM (T2 DM) patients with DR (n?=?66), T2 DM patients without DR (N?=?84), and healthy controls (n?=?45) without DR, in Kinshasa town. Diet, albuminemia, serum vitamins, and 8-isoprostane were examined.

Results

No intake of safou (OR?=?2.7 95% CI 1.2–5.8; P?=?0.014), low serum albumin <4.5 g/dL (OR-2.9 95% CI 1.4–5.9; P?=?0.003), no intake of fumbwa (OR?=?2.8 95% CI 1.2–6.5; P?=?0.014), high 8-isoprostane (OR?=?14.3 95% CI 4.5–46; P<0.0001), DM duration ≥5 years (OR?=?3.8 95% CI 1.6–9.1; P?=?0.003), and low serum vitamin C (OR?=?4.5 95% CI 1.3–15.5; P?=?0.016) were identified as the significant independent determinants of DR.

Conclusion

The important role of oxidant/antioxidant status imbalance and diet is demonstrated in DR.