Gut microbiota and diabetic retinopathy: a meta-analysis with limited findings
Patients with diabetic retinopathy show modest differences in gut microbiota composition compared to type 2 diabetics without retinopathy, with no significant difference in alpha-diversity.
| Population | — |
|---|---|
| Intervention | — |
| Comparator | — |
| Outcome | — |
What the study showed
The meta-analysis found lower abundances of Patescibacteria and Synergistetes, and higher abundances of Verrucomicrobia and Bacteroides in diabetic retinopathy patients versus T2DM controls. Alpha-diversity did not differ significantly between groups.
How it was done
Systematic review and meta-analysis of eight observational studies conducted in China and India, involving 486 individuals (258 T2DM, 228 DR), using stool samples and RevMan 5.3 for analysis.
Risk of bias
Only eight studies from two Asian countries were included, with relatively high heterogeneity and a total n of 486 — constraints that limit generalizability. The observational design precludes causal inference.
What this study does NOT prove
This meta-analysis does not prove that gut microbiota alterations cause diabetic retinopathy or that microbial modulation would alter disease progression.
In clinical practice
The data do not support any microbiota-targeted intervention for the prevention or treatment of diabetic retinopathy. The association is preliminary and geographically restricted.
Limitations
Only eight studies from two Asian countries were included, with relatively high heterogeneity and a total n of 486 — constraints that limit generalizability. The observational design precludes causal inference.
Technical appendix
Version history
- 1.0 · 2026-07-10 — Auto-generated under Evidence Standard v1.0
Paid access: structured summary from public metadata; consult the original study at the source.