A Study to Assess the Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Role of Epicardial Fat Thickness in Prediction of Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in a Tertiary Care Center in Western Uttar Pradesh

These findings suggest that in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, EFT can serve as a significant marker for the severity of DR. It can be used as a noninvasive investigation to predict PDR. When considered alongside established risk factors such as BMI, HbA1c levels, and diabetes duration, EFT could enhance early identification of patients at risk, potentially helping to prevent advancement to the more severe proliferative stage (PDR). However, larger and more extensive studies are required to confirm these observations and strengthen their clinical relevance.