Long-Term Glycemic Control Has a Nonlinear Association to the Frequency of Background Retinopathy in Adolescents With Diabetes: Follow-up of the Berlin Retinopathy Study

Abstract

Two statistical models are appropriate to explain the relationship between glycemic control and risk for background retinopathy: 1) a continuous exponential relationship as described by the DCCT or 2) the presence of a threshold HbA1c level at 9%. Thus, diabetes treatment in children should aim at long-term HbA1c levels < 9.0%, but every progress closer to normal may further reduce the risk.