To examine the association between serum vitamin B12 levels and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Approach:
Key Findings:
Each 100 μmol/L increase in vitamin B12 was significantly associated with a higher risk of DR (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.12–1.99, p = 0.0067).
Participants in the highest tertile of vitamin B12 (≥398 μmol/L) exhibited a substantially elevated risk of DR compared to those in the lowest tertile (OR = 11.83, 95% CI: 1.79–78.19, p = 0.0103).
GAM indicated a linear positive association between serum vitamin B12 levels and DR prevalence.
Interpretation:
Higher serum vitamin B12 levels were associated with greater DR prevalence in adults with T2DM; however, temporal ordering and causality cannot be established.
Limitations:
The study design is cross-sectional, limiting causal inference.
Potential confounding factors may not have been fully accounted for.
Findings may not be generalizable beyond the studied population.
Conclusion:
The study provides preliminary evidence for the association between serum vitamin B12 levels and diabetic retinopathy in T2DM patients.