AIM: To investigate the relationship between diabetic macular edema(DME)and serum E-selectin level.

METHODS: Totally 90 patients with diabetic retinopathy in our hospital from October 2009 to October 2013 were observed. Retrospective analysis of the correlation between macular edema degree and serum soluble E-selectin(sE-sel). Ninety patients with diabetic retinopathy were divided into two groups: DME group and non-DME group. The level of sE-sel and microalbuminuria(MA)of two groups were determined and compared.

RESULTS: There was significant difference in MA, sE-sel levels of groups(P<0.05). The value of diabetic retinopathy patients with sE-sel and MA, FBG were positively correlated(r=0.728, P<0.05; r=0.651, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of sE-sel is a risk factor for diabetic macular edema, and sE-sel was involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic microangiopathy.