Serum apolipoproteins have been reported as a more significant marker for diabetic retinopathy (DR) compared with serum cholesterols. This article aims to review the associations between serum cholesterols and apolipoproteins, and the presence and severity of DR. The protocol of this systematic review was registered at the PROSPERO registry (CRD42022303331). We conducted a systematic search of literature published between 2011 to 2022 using the search terms "serum cholesterol" AND/OR "lipoprotein" AND/OR "apolipoprotein" AND/OR "diabetic retinopathy". Fifteen studies were included in this review. Six studies assessed the association between serum cholesterols, apolipoproteins, and the presence of DR. Three studies reported lower levels of apolipoprotein A1, and one study reported higher levels of apolipoprotein B in patients with DR. The remaining nine studies compared serum cholesterol and apolipoprotein levels according to DR severity. Patients with more severe grades of DR presented with lower apolipoprotein A1 in six (66.7%) studies, higher apolipoprotein B levels in seven (77.8%) studies, and a higher apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio in six out of seven (85%) studies. In conclusion, serum apolipoproteins, in particular the apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio, were a more consistent marker for DR severity compared with serum cholesterols.
Keywords: apolipoprotein; cholesterol; diabetes mellitus; diabetic retinopathy (DR); systematic review.