Serum myostatin levels are positively associated with diabetic retinopathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus

To examine the relationship between serum myostatin levels and diabetic retinopathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). This cross-sectional study evaluated 246 individuals with type 2 DM. Analysis of covariance was performed after adjusting for confounders. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between serum myostatin levels and diabetic retinopathy. Serum myostatin levels were significantly higher in individuals with diabetic retinopathy than in those without. After adjusting for other covariates, the mean serum myostatin levels were significantly different according to the severity of retinopathy (without diabetic retinopathy, 2234 pg/mL; non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 2698 pg/mL; and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 3076 pg/mL; p for trend = 0.004). The multivariate analysis showed that serum myostatin levels were significantly associated with diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio for every 1 standard deviation-increase in logarithmic value, 1.77; 95% confidence interval: 1.21–2.59; p = 0.003). Serum myostatin levels were positively associated with diabetic retinopathy in individuals with type 2 DM.