A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Frequent physical activity is associated with reduced risk of severe diabetic retinopathy in type 1 diabetes




AuthorsHeidi Tikkanen-Dolenc, Johan Wadén, Carol Forsblom, Valma Harjutsalo, Lena M. Thorn, Markku Saraheimo, Nina Elonen, Kustaa Hietala, Paula Summanen, Heikki O. Tikkanen, Per-Henrik Groop, the FinnDiane Study Group

PublisherSPRINGER

Publication year2020

JournalActa Diabetologica

Volume57

First page 527

Last page534

eISSN1432-5233

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00592-019-01454-y

Web address https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00592-019-01454-y

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/45462313


Abstract

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate whether leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with the development of severe diabetic retinopathy in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

Prospective observational analysis as part of the Finnish diabetic nephropathy (FinnDiane) Study with a mean follow-up time of 10.7 years was performed. A total of 1612 individuals with type 1 diabetes were recruited, and LTPA was assessed at baseline using a validated self-report questionnaire. Severe diabetic retinopathy was defined as the initiation of laser treatment due to severe nonproliferative, proliferative retinopathy or diabetic maculopathy (identified from the Care Register for Health Care).

Results

A total of 261 patients received laser treatment during the follow-up. Higher frequency of LTPA was associated with a lower incidence of severe diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.024), a finding that remained significant after adjustment for gender, duration, age at onset of diabetes, kidney function, BMI, triglycerides and systolic blood pressure. However, when HbA1c and smoking were added to the Cox regression model the association was no more significant.

Conclusions

Frequent LTPA is associated with a lower incidence of severe diabetic retinopathy during the follow-up. The total amount or the other components of LTPA (intensity or duration of a single session) were not associated with severe diabetic retinopathy.


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Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 19:59