To investigate the relationship between serum C1q tumor necrosis factor-related protein 9 (CTRP9) level and the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
A total of 291 patients with T2DM underwent fundus examination, and their serum levels of CTRP9, insulin and adiponectin were measured using enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay. According to results of fundus examination, the patients were divided into DR group and non-DR (NDR) group, and logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between serum CTRP9 levels and DR in T2DM patients.
Compared with those in NDR group, the patients with DR showed significantly increased serum CTRP9 level ( < 0.001) and decreased serum adiponectin level ( < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that in patients with T2DM complicated by DR, serum CTRP9 levels had a significant positive correlation with DR stage ( < 0.05) and a negative correlation with serum adiponectin level ( < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that with the increase of serum CTRP9 level, the risk of DR is significantly increased in patients with T2DM.
In patients with T2DM complicated by DR, an increased serum CTRP9 level suggests a compensatory response to DR.

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