Correlation between Retinal Vessel Calibre and Neurodegeneration in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the European Consortium for the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (EUROCONDOR)

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between retinal vessel calibre and measurements of neurodegeneration in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and no or early diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: Baseline data on 440 patients with T2D from the EUROCONDOR clinical trial were used. DR was graded according to the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) scale, and patients with ETDRS levels 10-35 were included. Retinal vessel diameters were measured by semi-automatic software. Calibres were summarized into central retinal artery and vein equivalents (CRAE and CRVE). Results: Median age and diabetes duration were 64.0 and 10.3 years, respectively. ETDRS levels were 10 (42.3%), 20 (27.5%) and 35 (30.2%). The median CRAE and CRVE were 146.7 and 215.3 µm, respectively. CRAE did not differ according to ETRDS level (p = 0.12), but wider CRVE were found in patients with higher ETDRS levels (p = 0.04). In a multivariable linear regression model, CRAE was associated with macular ganglion cell layer thickness (coefficient 0.27 per micrometre, p < 0.01), and CRVE was correlated with macular retinal thickness (coefficient -0.07 per micrometre, p = 0.04) and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness at the optic disc (coefficient 0.32 per micrometre, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Retinal vessel calibre was independently associated with structural changes of the neuroretina in patients with no or early DR.

Correlation between corneal and retinal neurodegenerative changes and their association with microvascular perfusion in type II diabetes

“…Recent preliminary reports of the EUROCONDOR study are consistent with our results as they present a significant positive correlation of retinal arteriolar calibre with GCL thickness (Frydkjaer‐Olsen et al. ). Secondary thinning of the RNFL, formed by the axons of the retinal ganglion cells, is considered the immediate consequence of ganglion cell body degeneration.…”

“…Similarly, the EUROCONDOR study depicts a significant association between retinal vessel calibre and RNFL structural changes in the peripapillary region (Frydkjaer‐Olsen et al. ). These findings suggest that pRNFL thickness change may be an important biomarker for the development of DR.…”

Point-of-care ultrasound defines gastric content in elective surgical patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study

“…We found that 48.1% of the type 2 diabetic patients had a full stomach according to the current preoperative fasting guideline, suggesting the high risk of regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration in the event of general anaesthesia. The findings determined by antrum ultrasound examination were in accordance with previous studies [26][27][28]. Thus, when general anesthesia is required for a patient with full stomach, rapid sequence induction and tracheal intubation are indicated.…”

Diabetic Retinopathy Phenotypes of Progression to Macular Edema: Pooled Analysis From Independent Longitudinal Studies of up to 2 Years' Duration

“…MA turnover less than six was identified as a threshold to separate different mild NPDR phenotypes. 7 All OCT measurements were converted to ZEISS Cirrus scale by using published correction factors for ZEISS Stratus, 10 Heidelberg Spectralis, 11 and Topcon 3D-OCT. 12 Eyes/patients were classified as belonging to phenotypes A, B, and C on the basis of OCT central subfield thickness and MA activity following previous studies. 7 The cases identified as subclinical macular edema did not show major cysts or structural retinal abnormalities such as cysts or disorganization of inner retinal layers.…”