Association between serum fibroblast growth factor 21 level and sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction We conducted this cross-sectional study to explore the relationship between serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) level and sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR). Research design and methods A total of 654 patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was evaluated by the bilateral retinal photography, and patients were assigned into groups of no DR (NDR) (n=345, 52.75%), non-sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (NSTDR) (n=207, 31.65%), involving patients with mild or moderate non-proliferative retinopathy (NPDR) and STDR (n=102, 15.60%), including those with severe NPDR or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Serum FGF21 levels were quantified by a sandwich ELISA. Patients were divided into quartiles according to their serum FGF21 level. Results There was a significant difference in serum FGF21 level among the three groups of patients (p 478.76 pg/mL suggested the occurrence of DR and that level >554.69 pg/mL indicated STDR (p Conclusions Serum FGF21 level was a biomarker for the risk of developing DR or STDR. The risk of STDR increased when the serum FGF21 level of patients with type 2 diabetes was >554.69 pg/mL.