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Xu S, Zhang Y. Retinal sublayer analysis in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus without lupus retinopathy. Clin Rheumatol 2024:10.1007/s10067-024-07064-6. [PMID: 38982013 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-024-07064-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We aimed to analyze the thicknesses of the retinal sublayer and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) without lupus retinopathy. METHODS Thirty-six patients with JSLE (36 eyes) and 30 control subjects (30 eyes) were included retrospectively. Demographic data, disease duration, and clinical manifestations were recorded. Optical coherence tomography was used to examine the macula and optic disc. The thicknesses of the retina, ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and pRNFL were measured. The correlation between the thickness of retina and disease duration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were investigated. RESULTS The retinal thicknesses of I3 and T3 were thinner in the JSLE group than in the control group (P = 0.019, P = 0.043, respectively). The thicknesses of the I3 and S6 sectors of the GCL decreased significantly (P = 0.013, and P = 0.022, respectively). The thickness of the S6 sector of the IPL was reduced in the JSLE group compared with the control group (P = 0.047). The JSLE group showed significant decrease in the thickness of the central sector of the ONL (P = 0.034). No statistically significant differences in INL, OPL, RPE, and pRNFL thicknesses were found. The retinal thicknesses of I3 (r = -0.386, P = 0.020) and T3 (r = -0.384, P = 0.021) presented negative associations with ESR, but had no significant correlations with disease duration. CONCLUSIONS Retinal thinning was observed in patients with JSLE without lupus retinopathy, and this change was more pronounced in the inner layer. Key Points • Retinal thinning occurs in JSLE patients without lupus retinopathy. • Changes in retinal thicknesses are related to the ESR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University & Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou, China.
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Yavuz S, Küçük MF, Ayan A. Comparison of the Quantitative Values of Peripapillary, Macular and Choriocapillary Microvascular Structures According to the Presence of Lupus Nephritis in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2024:104263. [PMID: 38955255 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.104263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine whether there are quantitative changes in macular, choriocapillary, and peripapillary microvascular structures using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) due to the presence of lupus nephritis (LN) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to investigate the correlation between these quantitative values and disease duration. METHODS Fifty -five patients followed up in the rheumatology clinic with an SLE diagnosis were evaluated. As the control group, 61 eyes of 61 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals were included. The patients with SLE were further divided into two groups: those with LN (29 eyes) and those without LN (26 eyes). Macular, choriocapillary, and peripapillary microvascular structures were quantitatively analyzed with OCTA and compared between the three study groups. A correlation analysis of the measured quantitative values and disease duration was also performed. RESULTS In macular microvascular (MMV) analysis, the vessel densities (VDs) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) decreased in both SLE groups, while those of the deep capillary plexus (DCP) decreased only in the SLE group with LN. The foveal density significantly decreased in the SLE group with LN compared to the control group, there were no significant differences in terms of the radial peripapillary capillary VDs or the choriocapillaris flow area. Disease duration was not correlated with any of the quantitative parameters measured by OCTA in either SLE group. CONCLUSIONS Identifying differences in retinal microvascular circulation in SLE patients with kidney damage helps predict possible nephropathy and therefore guides the treatment process of this patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibel Yavuz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Health Sciences University, Antalya Training and Research Hospital.
| | - Mehmet Fatih Küçük
- Department of Ophthalmology, Health Sciences University, Antalya Training and Research Hospital
| | - Ayşe Ayan
- Department of Rheumatology, Health Sciences University, Antalya Training and Research Hospital
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Fernandes EA, Wildner P, Oset M, Siger M, Stasiołek M, Matysiak M, Wilczyński M. Optical coherence tomography angiography as a potential tool in differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and rheumatic disorders with central nervous system involvement. Int Ophthalmol 2024; 44:281. [PMID: 38922460 PMCID: PMC11208227 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03217-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study is to analyse whether optical coherence tomography angiography (angio-OCT, OCTA) measurements can be a useful tool to differentiate central nervous system (CNS) involvement in rheumatic disorders (RD) from multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS A total of 85 patients- 41 with MS, 21 with RD with CNS involvement and 23 healthy controls were included in the study. All individuals underwent OCTA and the following parameters were measured in each eye separately: average foveal and parafoveal vessel density (VD), average foveal and parafoveal vessel length (VL) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), as well as area, perimeter, and circularity of the foveal avascular zone. RESULTS OCTA showed a VD reduction in the foveal region of the SCP in eyes of RD patients when compared to MS patients (21.96 ± 3.39 vs.23.88 ± 3.05 (p = 0.003)). There have been no significant differences in any of the assessed parameters that is average VD and total average VL in the foveal area of the SCP as well as of the DCP in the general population comprising healthy controls, MS and RD groups (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that an OCTA finding of decreased VD in the foveal region of the SCP may be considered as a potentially useful biomarker of RD in comparison with MS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula Wildner
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-414, Lodz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Oset
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-414, Lodz, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Siger
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-414, Lodz, Poland
| | - Mariusz Stasiołek
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-414, Lodz, Poland
| | - Mariola Matysiak
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-414, Lodz, Poland
| | - Michał Wilczyński
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-414, Lodz, Poland
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Fekrazad S, Hassanzadeh G, Salehi MA, Mozafar M, Shahrabi Farahani M, Arevalo JF. Optical coherence tomography angiography measurements in systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Surv Ophthalmol 2024:S0039-6257(24)00047-X. [PMID: 38744406 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease affecting various organs. Ocular involvement, particularly retinopathy, is common, emphasizing the significance of early detection. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), a non-invasive imaging technique, reveals microvascular changes, aiding SLE diagnosis and monitoring. This study evaluates OCTA's effectiveness in detecting SLE-related retinal alterations. A systemic search was undertaken across PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases to identify studies presenting OCTA measurements in SLE patients compared to healthy controls. The meta-analysis, employing either fixed-effects or random-effects models based on heterogeneity levels, was conducted. Additionally, subgroup and sensitivity analyses, meta-regression, and quality assessments were carried out. Thirteen studies of 565 eyes in the SLE group and 560 eyes in the control group were included. The meta-analyses revealed that SLE patients had a significantly lower retinal vessel density in the superficial and deep capillary plexus layers, choriocapillaris flow area, and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) circularity index compared to healthy controls, but that there were no significant differences in the FAZ area and perimeter. These findings highlight how OCTA can provide a noninvasive assessment of SLE effects on the retinal microvasculature, potentially presenting a reliable biomarker for more precise detection of SLE and disease activity monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepehr Fekrazad
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; International Network for Photomedicine and Photodynamic Therapy (INPMPDT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Mehrdad Mozafar
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - J Fernando Arevalo
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Li H, Yu S, Li P, Zhang J, Maitiyaer M, Huang AM, Deng Q, Yang R, Liang J, Huang W, Liu Z. MICROVASCULATURE ALTERATIONS OF PERIPAPILLARY RETINA AND MACULA IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS PATIENTS WITHOUT OCULAR INVOLVEMENT BY OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY. Retina 2024; 44:515-526. [PMID: 37973040 DOI: 10.1097/iae.0000000000003989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate microvasculature alterations of the peripapillary retina and macula and to assess whether the changes can detect preclinical retinopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. METHODS Cross-sectional study of 32 systemic lupus erythematosus patients without retinopathy and 22 normal controls. Optical coherence tomography angiography was used to measure the microvasculature of the peripapillary retina and macula. Vessel densities (VD, %) and fractal dimensions of superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus were calculated. RESULTS Compared with controls, macular vessel densities of the whole image SCP (macular vessel density of SCP-wi) and macular vessel density of inferior SCP (macular vessel density of SCP-i) were significantly reduced in systemic lupus erythematosus patients ( P < 0.05). The peripapillary vessel densities (peripapillary vessel density [pVD]) of a 2.5-mm circle of SCP (pVD of SCP Φ2.5 ), pVD of SCP Φ3.5 , and pVD of inferior region of the inner circle of SCP (pVD of SCP-ii) were significantly reduced in patients treated with hydroxychloroquine >5 years. Macular vessel density of SCP-wi declined with age (β = -0.12; P < 0.01) and pVD of SCP-ii declined with hydroxychloroquine cumulative dose (β = -0.01; P < 0.01). Macular vessel density of SCP-i had the best discrimination power of 0.77 ( P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Systemic lupus erythematosus patients without ocular involvement had microvasculature alterations that were particularly evident in the SCP. Peripapillary retina microvasculature may be reduced in patients with longer hydroxychloroquine treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huangdong Li
- Ophthalmic Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - ShuiLian Yu
- Department of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peiyi Li
- Department of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingyu Zhang
- Ophthalmic Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Maierhaba Maitiyaer
- Department of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Amy Michelle Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado; and
| | - Qian Deng
- Ophthalmic Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Bijie Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Bijie, Guizhou
| | - Ruiming Yang
- Ophthalmic Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiamian Liang
- Ophthalmic Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenhui Huang
- Department of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiping Liu
- Ophthalmic Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Liu J, Zhang H, Yu H, Xia Y, Liu Q, Geng C, Dong L, Wang Y. Changes in retinal and choroidal thickness and vascular density in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: Assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography. Lupus 2024; 33:129-136. [PMID: 38158805 DOI: 10.1177/09612033231224771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim was to investigate the changes in retinal and choroidal thickness and vascular density in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS Twenty-nine patients with SLE (29 eyes) and 25 control subjects (25 eyes) were enrolled. SLE activity was assessed using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Retinal thickness (RT), inner retinal thickness (IRT), outer retinal thickness (ORT), choroidal thickness (ChT), retinal superficial vascular density (SVD), retinal deep vascular density (DVD), choriocapillary vascular density (CCVD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ), superficial FAZ (sFAZ), and deep FAZ (dFAZ) were measured using OCTA. The retinal and choroidal thickness and vascular density between the control group and SLE group were compared. The relationships between SLEDAI scores and the retinal and choroidal thickness and vascular density in SLE group were analyzed. RESULTS The SVD was significantly increased, and the DVD and CCVD were significantly decreased in the SLE group compared to the control group (p < .05). The results of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) showed that the area under the curve (AUC) values of SVD, DVD, and CCVD were 0.873, 0.729, and 0.727, indicating a high accuracy in discriminating patients with SLE from controls. Correlation analysis showed that the SLEDAI scores were positively correlated with dFAZ (r = 0.589, p = .001) and FAZ (r = 0.451, p = .018), and negatively correlated with DVD (r = -0.491, p = .009) and CCVD (r = -0.521, p = .005). CONCLUSIONS DVD and CCVD were decreased in the SLE and might be related to the disease activity. SVD, DVD, and CCVD may hold promise in the discovery of biomarkers for diagnosing SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hua Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ye Xia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chao Geng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lihong Dong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Meng L, Chen L, Zhang C, Chen H, Yang J, Wang Y, Zhang W, Cheng S, Zhao Q, Zhao X, Chen Y. Quantitative assessment of retinal vasculature changes in systemic lupus erythematosus using wide-field OCTA and the correlation with disease activity. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1340224. [PMID: 38348025 PMCID: PMC10859513 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1340224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To assess the retinal vasculature changes quantitatively using wide-field optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and explore its correlation with systemic clinical features. Design Prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. Participants and controls Patients with SLE who presented to the Ophthalmology Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from November 2022 to April 2023 were collected. The subjects were divided into retinopathy and without retinopathy groups. Age and gender-matched healthy subjects were selected as controls. Methods Patients with SLE and control subjects were imaged with 24×20 mm OCTA scans centered on the fovea and 6×6 mm OCTA scans centered on the optic disc. The sub-layers of OCTA images were stratified by the built-in software of the device and then the retinal thickness and vessel density were measured automatically. The characteristics of retinal OCTA parameters of SLE and its correlation with systemic clinical indicators of patients without retinopathy were analyzed. Main outcome measures OCTA parameters, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and systemic clinical indicators of patients such as disease activity index, autoimmune antibodies, and inflammatory marker levels were collected. Results A total of 102 SLE patients were included, 24 of which had retinopathy, and 78 had unaffected retina. Wide-field OCTA could effectively detect retinal vascular obstruction, non-perfusion area, and morphological abnormalities in patients with lupus retinopathy. SLE patients without retinopathy had significantly higher retinal superficial vessel density (SVD) in foveal (P=0.02), para-foveal temporal (P=0.01), nasal (P=0.01), peripheral foveal temporal (P=0.02), and inferior areas (P=0.02), as well as subregion temporal (P=0.01) and inferior areas (P=0.03) when compared with healthy controls (n=65 eyes from 65 participants). The area under curve (AUC) value of subregion inferior SVD combined parafoveal temporal SVD was up to 0.70. There was a significantly positive correlation between SVD and disease activity in SLE without retinopathy group. Patients with severe activity had the most significant increase in SVD. Conclusion Wide-field OCTA can provide a relatively comprehensive assessment of the retinal vasculature in SLE. In the absence of pathological changes of the retina, the SVD was significantly increased and was positively correlated with the disease activity of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihui Meng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lulu Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chenxi Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyuan Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuelin Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wenfei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shiyu Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Youxin Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Zhao H, Pan M, Liu Y, Cheng F, Shuai Z. Evaluation of early retinal changes in patients on long-term hydroxychloroquine using optical coherence tomography angiography. Ther Adv Drug Saf 2024; 15:20420986231225851. [PMID: 38300766 PMCID: PMC10823852 DOI: 10.1177/20420986231225851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Connective tissue diseases (CTD), including systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), have long been treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). However, prolonged HCQ use poses a risk of adverse effects, particularly retinopathy. Objective To detect early retinal changes assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in CTD patients with long-term HCQ treatment and to explore the relationship between OCTA parameters and the concentrations of HCQ and its metabolites. Design A cross-sectional study conducted from March 2020 to October 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. Methods The area and perimeter of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), the thickness of the fovea and parafovea, and the vascular density of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) in each area of the macula were measured by OCTA in 43 CTD patients treated with HCQ for over 6 months. Meantime, blood concentrations of HCQ and its metabolites were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the clinical documents of all 43 involved patients were collected. Results There is no significant correlation between OCTA outcomes and the patient's age, disease duration, and weight-dependent dose. HCQ cumulative duration positively correlated with FAZ area and perimeter (r = 0.419, p = 0.005 and r = 0.407, p = 0.007, respectively) and negatively correlated with the foveal vessel density in DCP (r = -0.378, p = 0.012). HCQ cumulative dose had a positive correlation with FAZ area and perimeter (r = 0.445, p = 0.003 and r = 0.434, p = 0.004, respectively) and had a negative correlation with foveal vessel density in SCP and DCP (r = -0.383, p = 0.011 and r = -0.424, p = 0.005, respectively). OCTA outcomes did not correlate with HCQ and its metabolite concentrations. Conclusion OCTA could be used to detect microvascular changes in the macula of CTD patients with long-term HCQ therapy. It was not found the concentrations of HCQ and its metabolites were associated with retinal vascular changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, China
| | - Menglu Pan
- Department of Rheumatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yaping Liu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fangyue Cheng
- Department of Rheumatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zongwen Shuai
- Department of Rheumatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218, Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei 230022, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, China
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Xu S, Zhang Y. Subclinical macular vessel density alterations in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus 2023; 32:1619-1624. [PMID: 37909478 DOI: 10.1177/09612033231212524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim is to evaluate subclinical alterations of macular microvasculature in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE). METHODS This is a cross-sectional study of 29 eyes of 29 patients diagnosed with JSLE and 29 eyes of 29 healthy controls. The vessel density (VD) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), intermediate capillary plexus (ICP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), choriocapillaris (CC), and area of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) was measured using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of disease duration and activity on OCTA parameters. RESULTS The VD of total (p = .007) and the superior (p = .014) and inferior (p = .004) quadrants in SCP was significantly lower in children with JSLE. The VD of total and all quadrants in ICP decreased (p = .015, p = .0045, p = .015, p = .033), except that of the temporal quadrant (p = .366). The total (p = .011) and superior quadrant (p<.01) DCP-VD showed a significant decrease in children with JSLE. The decrease in VD in the total (p = .003) and nasal quadrant (p = .017) of CC was also remarkable. No significant difference in the FAZ area was found between the two groups (p = .774). Multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for age, spherical equivalent, and intraocular pressure were conducted. No contributing factor to OCTA parameters was found. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated decreased VD in all layers of the retina and CC in patients with JSLE without ocular involvement. Early screening and close follow-up were recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou, China
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Chen L, Meng L, Sun L, Chen Y. Scleral changes in systemic lupus erythematosus patients using swept source optical coherence tomography. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1278893. [PMID: 38022606 PMCID: PMC10656698 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1278893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to examine scleral thickness in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without clinically evident scleritis and episcleritis, utilizing swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods This cross-sectional single center study compared scleral thickness (Nasal scleral thickness 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 6mm from scleral spur; Temporal scleral thickness 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 6mm from scleral spur) in 73 SLE patients without clinically evident scleritis and episcleritis and 48 healthy volunteers with SS-OCT. Further, we investigated the correlation between scleral thickness in SLE patients and various parameters including laboratory markers, disease duration, disease activity, and organ involvement. Results Across all measured sites (nasal scleral thickness at distances of 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, and 6mm from the scleral spur, and temporal scleral thickness at the same distances), the scleral thickness in the SLE group was significantly greater than that in the control group (all p-values <0.001). SLE patients with a disease duration of 5 years or less exhibited a higher scleral thickness compared to those with a more prolonged disease duration. Patients with a higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) had a thinner temporal scleral thickness. However, no significant associations were identified between scleral thickness and disease activity, organ involvement, or other laboratory markers. Conclusion Scleral thickness measured by SS-OCT was higher in SLE patients than healthy controls. Changes in scleral thickness in SLE patients are related to disease duration and ESR. SS-OCT can detect asymptomatic structural changes in SLE patients and may be a useful tool in the evaluation of early scleral abnormality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lihui Meng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Youxin Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Ferreira A, Vieira RJ, Furtado MJ, Lume M, Andrade JP, Menéres P. Detection of subclinical microvascular changes in systemic lupus erythematous using optical coherence tomography angiography: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Surv Ophthalmol 2023; 68:1115-1128. [PMID: 37544614 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune connective tissue disease that affects several vascular territories. We sought to assess the role of optical coherence tomography angiography in detecting subclinical microvascular alterations in SLE patients. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched until January 21, 2023. Studies using optical coherence tomography angiography as a primary diagnostic method to evaluate the macular microvasculature of SLE patients versus healthy controls were included. Primary outcomes were macular vessel density and foveal zone parameters. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Of 301 screened abstracts, 15 were found eligible, enrolling 1,246 eyes from 1,013 patients. SLE patients presented a reduction of macular vessel density at both plexuses in all zones (whole scan, fovea, parafovea, and perifovea), and of foveal density compared with healthy controls. No differences were found at foveal avascular zone parameters. SLE patients presented a reduction of macular vessel density without signs or symptoms of SLE ocular involvement. Optical coherence tomography angiography application for the assessment of subclinical microvascular changes needs to be elucidated with longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Ferreira
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal; Department of Biomedicine - Unit of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Centre for Health Technology and Services Research, Health Research Network (CINTESIS@RISE), Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Rafael José Vieira
- Centre for Health Technology and Services Research, Health Research Network (CINTESIS@RISE), Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Furtado
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciência Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel Lume
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
| | - José P Andrade
- Department of Biomedicine - Unit of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Centre for Health Technology and Services Research, Health Research Network (CINTESIS@RISE), Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Menéres
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciência Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Lee HY, Chen J, Ying P, Xu SH, Kang M, Zou J, Liao XL, Shi W, Ling Q, Wang YX, Wei H, Shao Y. Investigation of altered retinal microvasculature in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis: optical coherence tomography angiography detection. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20230045. [PMID: 37665319 PMCID: PMC10578346 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20230045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder that primarily causes symmetrical polyarthritis and bone deformity. In RA patients, sight-threatening inflammatory eye complications would be expected. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study is to ascertain the macular retinal vessel density changes in RA patients and controls using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and to investigate the association between disease and microvascular density alterations. METHODS A total of 12 RA patients (24 eyes) and 12 age- and gender-matched control participants (24 eyes) were recruited to the study. We used the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study partitioning, hemispheric quadrants and annular partitioning to segment each image into different subregions. The vascular density of superficial retina layer, deep retina layer and conjunctival capillary plexus was quantitatively measured by OCTA and compared with the control group. Correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between STMI and conjunctival capillaries densities. RESULTS In the superficial retinal layer, the vascular density of S, I, L, SL, SR, IL and C1-C5 were significantly decreased in the RA group compared with the control group (P<0.05). For the deep retinal layer, the vascular density of S, SL, SR, IL, C1, C2 and C4 also decreased in RA group. A significant positive correlation was indicated between conjunctival vascular and STMI densities (r = 0.713, P<0.05). CONCLUSION OCTA results suggest that RA patients present with a reduced macular retinal vascular density. These subtle alterations of ocular microcirculation may precede severe eye involvements and may be a potential biomarker for early distinguishing abnormal eyes from healthy eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan-Yi Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
- Department of Optometric Medicine and Ophthalmology, The Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Pin Ying
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - San-Hua Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Min Kang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Jie Zou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Xu-Lin Liao
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Wenqing Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Qian Ling
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Yi-Xin Wang
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, Wales
| | - Hong Wei
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Yi Shao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
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Wang X, Xie H, Yi Y, Zhou J, Yang H, Li J. Clinical Research of Lupus Retinopathy: Quantitative Analysis of Retinal Vessels by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3222. [PMID: 37892042 PMCID: PMC10606127 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13203222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lupus retinopathy, an ocular manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is the major pathology attributed to retinal vasculopathy. Our study is to analyze the changes in retinal vessels in patients with SLE by optical coherence tomography angiography. METHODS A total of 61 SLE patients without obvious retinal manifestation and 71 healthy people were included. The SLE patients were further divided into a lupus nephritis (LN) group and a non-LN group. The changes in central macular thickness (CMT) and the retinal vessel densities were compared between the two groups, and the correlation between retinal vascular changes and disease activity was analyzed. RESULTS Compared with healthy control, the CMT and the retinal vascular densities in both superficial and deep retina were decreased significantly in SLE patients. There was no significant difference in retinal vascular densities between LN groups and non-LN groups. CONCLUSION The CMT and retinal vessel densities were decreased in SLE patients without clinical manifestations, which might serve as a sensitive biomarker for early changes of lupus retinopathy in SLE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Huimin Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200120, China; (X.W.); (H.X.); (Y.Y.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200120, China; (X.W.); (H.X.); (Y.Y.); (J.Z.)
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Pelegrín L, Morató M, Araújo O, Figueras-Roca M, Zarranz-Ventura J, Adán A, Cervera R, Casaroli-Marano RP, Budi V, Barrera-López L, Ríos J, Hernández-Rodríguez J, Espinosa G. Preclinical ocular changes in systemic lupus erythematosus patients by optical coherence tomography. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:2475-2482. [PMID: 36331348 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to detect preclinical changes in SLE patients in retinal microvascularization or retinal and optical nerve structure by optical coherence tomography. METHODS This cross-sectional, single-centre study aimed to describe structural changes [macular and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness] by structural spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and perifoveal vascular [vessel density (VD) and vascular perfusion (VP) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) structural parameters] findings by OCT angiography (OCTA) in 78 SLE patients and 80 healthy volunteers. In addition, we analysed their association with clinical and laboratory parameters, medications received, disease duration, and SLE activity and damage. RESULTS Structural parameters by SD-OCT and perifoveal vascular parameters by OCTA were decreased in SLE patients compared with controls. OCTA parameters (VD, VP and FAZ circularity) and macular thickness were also decreased in patients with longer disease duration (>10 years). The presence of aPLs was associated with a decreased RNFL thickness, mainly in the inferior quadrants. Patients developing APS also showed decreased RNFL thickness and OCTA flow changes. SD-OCT and OCTA results were not associated with disease activity. Foveal structural parameters were lower in patients with higher damage score. CONCLUSION SD-OCT and OCTA can detect preclinical structural and microcirculatory changes in SLE patients. Structural and perifoveal vascular macular changes in SLE patients are related to disease duration. Macular structural parameters were impaired in patients with higher disease damage. APS seems to be associated with preclinical damage to the optic nerve and impairment of the perifoveal microvasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pelegrín
- Retina and Uveitis Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montse Morató
- Retina and Uveitis Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Araújo
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Figueras-Roca
- Retina and Uveitis Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Zarranz-Ventura
- Retina and Uveitis Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfredo Adán
- Retina and Uveitis Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ricard Cervera
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ricardo P Casaroli-Marano
- Retina and Uveitis Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vanesa Budi
- Retina and Uveitis Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lucía Barrera-López
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Ríos
- Department of Medical Statistics Platform, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Hernández-Rodríguez
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gerard Espinosa
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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15
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Mimier-Janczak MK, Kaczmarek D, Proc K, Misiuk-Hojło M, Kaczmarek R. Subclinical retinopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus patients - optical coherence tomography study. Reumatologia 2023; 61:161-168. [PMID: 37522138 PMCID: PMC10373166 DOI: 10.5114/reum/166296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim was to detect subclinical structural retinal abnormalities in optical coherence tomography (OCT) in ophthalmologically asymptomatic systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients without signs of lupus retinopathy or drug toxicity in fundus examination and in OCT and to assess the relationship between OCT parameters and disease activity, therapy type and burden on other organs to demonstrate the utility of OCT in early retinal impairment in SLE patients. Material and methods Cross-sectional study. Thirty-three SLE patients (57 eyes) and 31 healthy individuals (56 eyes) were enrolled in the study. We excluded patients with evidence of lupus retinopathy or hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) toxicity on OCT or fundus examination to reveal any subclinical changes. All patients underwent full ophthalmologic examination in the slit lamp including best corrected visual acuity, tonometry, and OCT. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov distribution test was used to assess the normal distribution in quantitative values. The differences between the individual measured parameters in the groups were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Spearman's rank correlation test was used to assess the correlation between the measured parameters and quantitative clinical data. Results There was no difference in the OCT findings between SLE and healthy control groups. Among the study group a negative correlation was found between disease duration and age and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the inferior quadrant (p = 0.0063, p = 0.0036). No correlations were observed between examined retinal parameters and duration of hydroxychloroquine therapy, hydroxychloroquine as well as chloroquine cumulative dose and disease activity indices. Conclusions Optical coherence tomography is a widespread ophthalmic modality used for SLE retinopathy and HCQ toxicity screening. Our study did not demonstrate its clinical potency in diagnosis of subclinical retinal involvement. An optical coherence tomography device seems to be less sensitive in subclinical retinal impairment detection than optical coherence tomography angiography.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Krzysztof Proc
- Department of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland
| | - Marta Misiuk-Hojło
- Department and Clinic of Ophthalmology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland
| | - Radosław Kaczmarek
- Department and Clinic of Ophthalmology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland
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16
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Kitay AM, Hanson JVM, Hasan N, Driban M, Chhablani J, Barthelmes D, Gerth-Kahlert C, Al-Sheikh M. Functional and Morphological Characteristics of the Retina of Patients with Drusen-like Deposits and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treated with Hydroxychloroquine: A Retrospective Study. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1629. [PMID: 37371724 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the impact of drusen-like deposits (DLD) on retinal layer integrity and retinal function by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS We identified 66 eyes of 33 SLE patients treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) that were categorized into two groups according to whether DLDs were present (34 eyes, Group One) or absent (32 eyes, Group Two). The groups were matched for age, sex, HCQ treatment duration, daily, and cumulative dosage. OCT (retinal layer thicknesses, central retinal thickness, CRT) and mfERG concentric ring analysis were analyzed and compared. RESULTS CRT was significantly thicker in Group One compared to Group Two (273.21 ± 3.96 vs. 254.5 ± 7.62) (p = 0.023). Group One also demonstrated an overall thicker retinal pigment epithelium compared to Group Two; however, the other outer retinal layers, outer nuclear layer, and photoreceptor layer were found to be significantly thinner in Group One compared to Group Two. We found no differences in mfERG parameters between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS DLDs in SLE patients lead to abnormal central retinal layer thickness, which has no measurable impact on cone-mediated retinal function assessed by mfERG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice M Kitay
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 24, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - James V M Hanson
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 24, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nasiq Hasan
- UPMC Eye Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Matthew Driban
- UPMC Eye Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jay Chhablani
- UPMC Eye Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Daniel Barthelmes
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 24, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Christina Gerth-Kahlert
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 24, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mayss Al-Sheikh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 24, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
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Ru L, Xu J, Lin Z, Cao L, Zhang L. Analysis of choroidal thickness in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus and its correlation with laboratory tests. BMC Ophthalmol 2023; 23:148. [PMID: 37041478 PMCID: PMC10088154 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-023-02906-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to investigate the alterations of choroidal thickness (CT) in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). We also aimed to assess whether CT parameters correlated with systemic health status in JSLE patients. METHODS JSLE patients and age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were recruited. A detailed ophthalmological examination was applied to all participants. CT measurements were acquired in the macular region using EDI-OCT. Moreover, a spectrum of laboratory tests was examined to evaluate the systemic conditions, and the Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg cytokine profiles in the peripheral blood were also analyzed in JSLE group. RESULTS A total of 45 JSLE patients with no visual impairment and 50 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. CT values in the macular region were decreased in JSLE patients when compared with healthy controls, even adjusting for age, axial length and refraction. There were no significant correlations between CT and cumulative dose of hydroxychloroquine or duration of hydroxychloroquine use (all P > 0.05). The average macular, temporal and subfoveal CT in JSLE group was negatively correlated with IL-6 and IL-10 (all P < 0.05), but had no significant correlations with other laboratory results (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS JSLE patients without ocular involvement may have significant variations in choroidal thickness at the macular area. Choroidal alterations might be associated with the systemic cytokine profiles in JSLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ru
- Department of Ophthalmology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinping Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongjing Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lanfang Cao
- Department of Pediatrics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
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Mimier-Janczak M, Kaczmarek D, Proc K, Misiuk-Hojło M, Kaczmarek R. Evaluation of Subclinical Retinal Disease in Patients Affected by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with No Evidence of Ocular Involvement-An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Original Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11247417. [PMID: 36556032 PMCID: PMC9780932 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11247417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Lupus retinopathy is the second most common eye involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), associated with significant visual deterioration and well-known negative prognostic factor for survival. Ocular manifestation in SLE, relating the retina, ranges from asymptomatic vascular involvement to vision devastating vascular occlusions. Subclinical microvascular changes are undetectable in slit lamp examination, hence are underdiagnosed. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a novel, easy to interpret and non-invasive technique that allows retinal vessels visualization. OCTA simplifies clinical approach and measures the severity of decreased perfusion. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the retinal vascularization in a subclinical stage of ocular involvement in a cohort of SLE patients. Thirty-three patients (57 eyes) diagnosed with SLE were enrolled into the study group and 31 healthy individuals (56 eyes) into the control group. Vessel density reduction in parafovea, inferior and nasal quadrants of superficial retinal capillary plexus in a cohort of SLE patients was found. Among study group kidney involvement was associated with further microvasculature reduction. Knowing that retinal involvement may precede other organs impairment, early detection of retinal impairment and use of OCTA as a screening modality, may decrease overall disease morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Mimier-Janczak
- Department and Clinic of Ophthalmology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Krzysztof Proc
- Department of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marta Misiuk-Hojło
- Department and Clinic of Ophthalmology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Radosław Kaczmarek
- Department and Clinic of Ophthalmology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
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Structural Features of Patients with Drusen-like Deposits and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11206012. [PMID: 36294333 PMCID: PMC9605325 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11206012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The relevance of drusen-like deposits (DLD) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is to a large extent uncertain. Their genesis is proposed to be correlated to immune-complex and complement depositions in the framework of SLE. The intention of this study was to determine potential morphological differences in the choroid and retina as well as potential microvascular changes comparing two cohorts of SLE patients divergent in the presence or absence of DLD using multimodal imaging. Methods: Both eyes of 16 SLE patients with DLD were compared to an age- and sex-matched control-group consisting of 16 SLE patients without detectable DLD. Both cohorts were treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and did not differ in the treatment duration or dosage. Using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) choroidal volume measures, choroidal vascularity indices (CVI) and retinal layer segmentation was performed and compared. In addition, by the exploitation of optical coherence tomography angiography vascular density, perfusion density of superficial and deep retinal capillary plexuses and the choriocapillaris were analyzed. For the choroidal OCT-scans, a subset of 51 healthy individuals served as a reference-group. Results: CVI measures revealed a significant reduction in eyes with DLD compared to healthy controls (0.56 (0.54−0.59) versus 0.58 (0.57−0.59) (p = 0.018) and 0.56 (0.54−0.58) versus 0.58 (0.57−0.60) (p < 0.001)). The photoreceptor cell layer presented significant thinning in both eyes of subjects with DLD compared to control subjects without DLD (68.8 ± 7.7 µm vs. 77.1 ± 7.3 µm for right eyes, p = 0.008, and 66.5 ± 10.5 µm vs. 76.1 ± 6.3 µm for left eyes, p = 0.011). OCTA scans revealed no significant changes, yet there could be observed numerically lower values in the capillary plexuses of the retina in eyes with DLD than in eyes without DLD. Conclusions: Our results illustrated significant alterations in the choroidal and retinal analyzes, suggesting a correlation between DLD and the progression of inflammatory processes in the course of SLE leading to retinal degeneration. For this reason, DLD could serve as a biomarker for a more active state of disease.
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20
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Yılmaz Tuğan B, Sönmez HE, Yüksel N, Karabaş L. Subclinical Retinal Capillary Abnormalities in Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus without Ocular Involvement. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2022; 31:576-584. [PMID: 36067490 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2022.2116584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate subclinical retinal microvascular changes with OCTA in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) patients without ocular involvement. METHODS Ten eyes of 10 JSLE and 13 eyes of 13 age and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. The superficial (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), FAZ parameters, the flow area of the outer retina, and choriocapillaris were evaluated using OCTA. RESULTS All vessel density (VD) parameters in DCP were significantly lower in JSLE group compared to HCs. There was no significant difference between the groups in VD parameters of both SCP and ONH, FAZ, outer retina and choriocapillaris flow area. All DCP VD parameters showed a good ability to differentiate JSLE from HCs. CONCLUSION OCTA could detect retinal vascular impairment in the deep macular region in JSLE patients with normal ocular examination. Furthermore, all DCP VD parameters have a good ability to discriminate JSLE from HCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hafize Emine Sönmez
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Nurşen Yüksel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Levent Karabaş
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
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Macular and peripapillary vessel density alterations in a large series of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus without ocular involvement. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2022; 260:3543-3552. [DOI: 10.1007/s00417-022-05742-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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ERMURAT S, Koyuncu K. Evaluation of subclinical retinal microvascular changes in systemic lupus erythematosus patients using optical coherence tomography angiography and its relationship with disease activity. Lupus 2022; 31:541-554. [DOI: 10.1177/09612033221084222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to investigate subclinical retinal microvascular changes with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy controls (HCs), and to evaluate the relationship between OCTA findings and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K). Materials and Methods In this study, 47 eyes of SLE and 41 eyes of healthy control (HC) were evaluated. The SLE patients were divided into two subgroups: low disease activity (LDA) (SLEDAI≤5) and high disease activity (HDA) (SLEDAI>6). The results of OCTA were compared between SLE patients and HCs as well as the SLE subgroups. The relationship between OCTA results and SLEDAI-2K was evaluated. Results There were no differences in foveal avascular zone (FAZ) areas between the SLE patients and HCs. Central foveal thickness (CFT) was lower in SLE patients ( p = .046). Superficial capillary plexus (SCP) vessel density (VD) in SLE patients was significantly lower only in the foveal area compared to that in HCs ( p = .006). Deep capillary plexus (DCP) VD in SLE patients was significantly lower in all areas except the temporal parafoveal area compared to that in the HCs. There was no statistically significant difference between SLE groups with LDA and HDA in FAZ or any of the other areas, including SCP and DCP. When the correlation between OCTA findings and SLEDAI-2K was examined, both SCP and DCP VD were found to be negatively correlated. conclusions It was observed that DCP VDs were affected in SLE patients with LDA, and SCP VDs were also affected in addition to DCP with HDA. This suggests that DCP may be the first capillary plexus to be comprised in SLE. VDs were negatively correlated with disease activity. It was concluded that OCTA can be a useful tool in assessing subclinical retinal microvascular pathology and disease activity in patients with SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selime ERMURAT
- Department of Rheumatology, Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Kevser Koyuncu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
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Remolí Sargues L, Monferrer Adsuara C, Castro Navarro V, Hernández Garfella ML, Hernández Bel L, Navarro Palop C, Montero Hernández J, Cervera Taulet E. New insights in pathogenic mechanism of hydroxychloroquine retinal toxicity through optical coherence tomography angiography analysis. Eur J Ophthalmol 2022; 32:3599-3608. [PMID: 35084246 DOI: 10.1177/11206721221076313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is only a unique report with a small sample size studying hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinal toxicity with swept-source (SS) optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The aim of this study was to quantify OCTA quantitative parameters in patients who underwent HCQ therapy. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study. The study included 43 eyes of 22 patients taking HCQ for more than 5 years (high-risk group), 57 eyes of 29 patients taking HCQ for 5 years or less (low-risk group) and 25 eyes of 50 age-matched healthy controls. OCTA quantitative parameters (vessel density (VD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area in superficial capillary plexus (SCP), middle capillary plexus (MCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), total capillary plexus (TCP), and choriocapillaris (CC)) were recorded. RESULTS In the low-risk group, VD in the SCP and MCP was increased compared to control group (p value <.05). In the high-risk group, VD in the SCP, MCP and TCP was increased (p value <.05). The subgroup analysis revealed an increased VD at SCP in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) high-risk patients, an increased VD at TCP and CC in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) high-risk subjects, and a decreased VD at CC level in the high-risk group patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and connective tissue disease (CTD) (p value <.05). Furthermore, we demonstrated a significant enlargement of FAZ area at MCP level in the high-risk group patients with SS and CTD (p value <.05). CONCLUSION We demonstrated an increase of VD in patients who underwent HCQ treatment, so we suggest that HCQ retinal toxicity is not vascular mediated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Remolí Sargues
- Department of Ophthalmology, 16803Consorcio Hospital General Universitario of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Clara Monferrer Adsuara
- Department of Ophthalmology, 16803Consorcio Hospital General Universitario of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Verónica Castro Navarro
- Department of Ophthalmology, 16803Consorcio Hospital General Universitario of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Laura Hernández Bel
- Department of Ophthalmology, 16803Consorcio Hospital General Universitario of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Catalina Navarro Palop
- Department of Ophthalmology, 16803Consorcio Hospital General Universitario of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Javier Montero Hernández
- Department of Ophthalmology, 16803Consorcio Hospital General Universitario of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Enrique Cervera Taulet
- Department of Ophthalmology, 16803Consorcio Hospital General Universitario of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography as a New Tool for Evaluation of the Subclinical Retinal Involvement in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-A Review. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10132887. [PMID: 34209650 PMCID: PMC8267901 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10132887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowing the proven relationship between lupus retinopathy and systemic changes and disease activity, it is crucial to find the possibility of early diagnosis of retinal changes at a subclinical level in order to provide faster medical intervention and protect the patient from irreversible changes in the eye and other organs. The aim of this review is an analysis of studies investigating early pathological changes in retinal vascularization obtained by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and their relationship to the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A literature search was performed to identify all relevant articles, regarding detection of subclinical retinal changes using OCTA in systemic lupus erythematosus listed in PubMed database. Seven out of seven papers found showed a decrease in superficial capillary plexus in ocular asymptomatic patients diagnosed with SLE. A decrease in retinal vessel density measured by OCTA may be a good marker of SLE activity and poor prognosis. OCTA in a safe manner can give clinicians a new perspective on processes of vessel remodeling and answer the question of how SLE might impact the eye from a structural point of view. Adding OCTA to the standard diagnostic process of SLE patients, may detect systemic changes early and prevent further visual deterioration by stopping progression of lupus retinopathy.
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