The association between retinal microvasculature derived from optical coherence tomography angiography and systemic factors in type 2 diabetics

Abstract

AimsTo investigate the correlation between the retinal microvasculature using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and systemic factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.MethodsThis cross-sectional study obtained OCTA data from patients with T2DM administered at hospital and referred to ophthalmic services. Patient data about demographics, comorbid conditions, and blood biomarkers were extracted from electronic medical records. Data from OCTA scans obtained by CIRRUS HD-OCT Model 5,000 were obtained. Vessel density (VD) and perfusion density (PD) within the superficial capillary plexus, and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area were automatically segmented. These parameters were tested for their correlations with systemic factors by univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses.ResultsA total of 144 T2DM patients (236 eyes) were available for analysis, with mean age of 53.6 (SD = 10.34) and 56.9% were male. Chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, increased serum creatinine (Scr), red blood cell count (RBC), platelets (PLT), apolipoprotein B (APOB), and decreased urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) were significantly associated with lower VD and PD (all p < 0.013). UACR and triglyceride (TRIG) were significantly correlated with FAZ area (all p < 0.017). In multivariate analyses, PLT, eGFR, and APOB were independent risk factors for retinal rarefaction, and UACR was a significant predictor of FAZ area.ConclusionWe found several systemic risk factors, such as PLT, renal function and lipid profiles were associated with PD, VD, and FAZ area among Chinese T2DM patients.

Retinal Microvascular Alterations in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients: A Pilot Study Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

“…The retina is a structure that contains a rich network of microvasculature [ 14 ]. Digital fundus photography allowed qualitative retinopathy grading, which is based on the identification of hemorrhages, microaneurysms, or focal arteriolar narrowing, and computer-assisted retinal vessel caliber analysis [ 15 ]. The most important parameters and metrics are obtained from arteriolar and venular widths from vessels close to the optic disc [ 15 ].…”

“…Digital fundus photography allowed qualitative retinopathy grading, which is based on the identification of hemorrhages, microaneurysms, or focal arteriolar narrowing, and computer-assisted retinal vessel caliber analysis [ 15 ]. The most important parameters and metrics are obtained from arteriolar and venular widths from vessels close to the optic disc [ 15 ]. As retinopathy reflects established end-organ damage, detecting changes in retinal vessel caliber that precede more conspicuous and clinically relevant damage may allow earlier interventions for high-risk patients [ 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…The most important parameters and metrics are obtained from arteriolar and venular widths from vessels close to the optic disc [ 15 ]. As retinopathy reflects established end-organ damage, detecting changes in retinal vessel caliber that precede more conspicuous and clinically relevant damage may allow earlier interventions for high-risk patients [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technology based on low-coherence interferometry.…”

“…Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is associated with systemic vascular complications likely reflecting widespread microvascular disease, and OCTA has become the tool of choice for the early detection of DR and other retinal vascular diseases [ 15 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Recent studies have demonstrated that retinal vessel density and retinal perfusion reflect systemic inflammatory responses [ 22 , 25 , 26 ] and that retinal and choroidal thickness may serve as potential biomarkers of systemic inflammation [ 27 , 28 ].…”