Association of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 genotype with prevalence of diabetic retinopathy

The influence of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH 2) genotype on diabetic retinopathy was investigated in 212 individuals with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The prevalence of proliferative retinopathy was lower [p < 0.05) in the 92 patients with inactive ALDH 2 than in the 120 patients with active ALDH2. In patients with NIDDM of less than 10 years' duration, the prevalence of proliferative retinopathy was 6.5% (4/62) in those with active ALDH 2 and 0% (0/45) in those with inactive ALDH 2. In patients with NIDDM of more than 10 years' duration, the prevalence of proliferative retinopathy was 12.1% (7/58) among those with active ALDH 2 and 4.3% (2/47) among those with inactive ALDH 2. Thus, the prevalence of proliferative retinopathy was relatively high and its onset earlier in patients with active ALDH 2 genotype compared to those with inactive ALDH 2 genotype. From these results, we suggest that ALDH 2 genotype could be a genetic marker for diabetic retinopathy, especially among those with NIDDM.