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Chen Y, Xu Z, Liang A, Chen R, Wang Z, Chen X, Zheng K, Lu P, Liang H, Cao D, Zhang L. Comprehensive assessment of ocular parameters for identifying diagnostic indicators of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Acta Diabetol 2024:10.1007/s00592-024-02299-w. [PMID: 38780614 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-024-02299-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore variations in systemic and ocular parameters among patients with diabetes, both with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and to identify sensitive indicators for DPN diagnosis. METHODS Ninty-five patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were involved in this cross-sectional study, including 49 without DPN and 46 with DPN. Ocular parameters were obtained using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). RESULT Patients with DPN presented with significantly higher HbA1c (p < 0.05) and glycated albumin (GA, p < 0.01) levels, increased prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR, p < 0.05), and lower serum albumin (ALB, p < 0.01) and red blood cell (RBC, p < 0.05) levels. Ocular assessments revealed reduced corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL, p < 0.001) and enlarged foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area (p < 0.05) in DPN group. Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association of presence of DR, RBC, GA, ALB, CNFL and DPN (p < 0.05, respectively). In the binary logistic regression for DPN risk, all three models including the presence of DR and CNFL exhibited the area under the curve (AUC) exceeding 0.8. CONCLUSION The study establishes a strong correlation between ocular parameters and DPN, highlighting CCM's role in early diagnosis. Combining systemic and ocular indicators improves DPN risk assessment and early management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesheng Chen
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Zhicong Xu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Anyi Liang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Ruoyu Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Zicheng Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Xiaojun Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Kangyan Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, China
| | - Peiyao Lu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Huilin Liang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Dan Cao
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
| | - Liang Zhang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, China.
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Buonfiglio F, Wasielica-Poslednik J, Pfeiffer N, Gericke A. Diabetic Keratopathy: Redox Signaling Pathways and Therapeutic Prospects. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:120. [PMID: 38247544 PMCID: PMC10812573 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13010120] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus, the most prevalent endocrine disorder, not only impacts the retina but also significantly involves the ocular surface. Diabetes contributes to the development of dry eye disease and induces morphological and functional corneal alterations, particularly affecting nerves and epithelial cells. These changes manifest as epithelial defects, reduced sensitivity, and delayed wound healing, collectively encapsulated in the context of diabetic keratopathy. In advanced stages of this condition, the progression to corneal ulcers and scarring further unfolds, eventually leading to corneal opacities. This critical complication hampers vision and carries the potential for irreversible visual loss. The primary objective of this review article is to offer a comprehensive overview of the pathomechanisms underlying diabetic keratopathy. Emphasis is placed on exploring the redox molecular pathways responsible for the aberrant structural changes observed in the cornea and tear film during diabetes. Additionally, we provide insights into the latest experimental findings concerning potential treatments targeting oxidative stress. This endeavor aims to enhance our understanding of the intricate interplay between diabetes and ocular complications, offering valuable perspectives for future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Buonfiglio
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (J.W.-P.); (N.P.)
| | | | | | - Adrian Gericke
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (J.W.-P.); (N.P.)
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Sandvik SA, Sundling V, Lagali N. Methods for evaluation of corneal nerve fibres in diabetes mellitus by in vivo confocal microscopy: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070017. [PMID: 37045576 PMCID: PMC10106056 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Globally, 422 million people have diabetes. Late complications of diabetes are blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation. The prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy is 50% and 35%, respectively. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) is a rapid, non-invasive method to evaluate subbasal corneal nerve fibres, which are small fibres of the peripheral nervous system. Corneal nerve fibre changes can be a marker of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. There is currently no gold-standard procedure for IVCM imaging, image processing or quantitative analysis of the corneal nerve fibres in the subbasal plexus. This protocol describes a scoping review to map, summarise and critically evaluate current methods used with IVCM evaluation in people with diabetes mellitus. METHODS The scoping review will follow Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for scoping review. A comprehensive search of the literature will be conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus and Web of Science. The search strategy will include terms related to IVCM, diabetes and corneal nerve fibres. We will set inclusion and exclusion criteria prior to the search, and two reviewers will screen titles and abstracts independently. One reviewer will full text read eligible articles and chart data from the studies. A descriptive summary of the methods used in imaging, image processing and quantitative analysis of peripheral corneal nerve fibres by IVCM will be written. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval is not required since this is a scoping review based on previously published articles. The findings will be published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siv Aaseth Sandvik
- Department of Optometry, Radiology and Lighting Design, University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Vibeke Sundling
- Department of Optometry, Radiology and Lighting Design, University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Neil Lagali
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linkopings universitet, Linkoping, Sweden
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Matuszewska-Iwanicka A, Stratmann B, Stachs O, Allgeier S, Bartschat A, Winter K, Guthoff R, Tschoepe D, Hettlich HJ. Mosaic vs. Single Image Analysis with Confocal Microscopy of the Corneal Nerve Plexus for Diagnosis of Early Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Ophthalmol Ther 2022; 11:2211-2223. [PMID: 36184730 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-022-00574-z] [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: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The assessment of the corneal nerve fibre plexus with corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is an upcoming but still experimental method in the diagnosis of early stage diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Using an innovative imaging technique-Heidelberg Retina Tomograph equipped with the Rostock Cornea Module (HRT-RCM) and EyeGuidance module (EG)-we were able to look at greater areas of subbasal nerve plexus (SNP) in order to increase the diagnostic accuracy. The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of EG instead of single image analysis in diagnosis of early stage DPN. METHODS This prospective study was performed on 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, classified equally into two subgroups based on neuropathy deficient score (NDS): patients without DPN (group 1) or with mild DPN (group 2). The following parameters were analysed in the two subgroups: corneal nerve fibre length (CNFL; mm/mm2), corneal nerve fibre density (CNFD; no./mm2), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD; no./mm2). Furthermore, we compared the data calculated with the novel mosaic, EG-based method with those received from single image analysis using different quantification tools. RESULTS Using EG we did not find a significant difference between group 1 and group 2: CNFL (16.81 ± 5.87 mm/mm2 vs. 17.19 ± 7.19 mm/mm2, p = 0.895), CNFD (254.05 ± 115.36 no./mm2 vs. 265.91 ± 161.63 no./mm2, p = 0.732) and CNBD (102.68 ± 62.28 no./mm2 vs. 115.38 ± 96.91 no./mm2, p = 0.541). No significant difference between the EG method of analysing the SNP and the single image analysis of 10 images per patient was detected. CONCLUSION On the basis of our results it was not possible to differentiate between early stages of large nerve fibre DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus via SNP analysis. To improve sensitivity and specificity of this method newer technologies are under current evaluation. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT05326958.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Matuszewska-Iwanicka
- Eye Clinic Johannes Wesling Hospital, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Augen-Praxisklinik Minden, Königstraße 120, 32427, Minden, Germany.
| | - Bernd Stratmann
- Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Diabeteszentrum, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Oliver Stachs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Stephan Allgeier
- Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Andreas Bartschat
- Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Karsten Winter
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rudolf Guthoff
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Diethelm Tschoepe
- Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Diabeteszentrum, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
- Stiftung DHD (Der herzkranke Diabetiker) Stiftung in der Deutschen Diabetes-Stiftung, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Hettlich
- Eye Clinic Johannes Wesling Hospital, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Augen-Praxisklinik Minden, Königstraße 120, 32427, Minden, Germany
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Malik RA. Corneal confocal microscopy meets continuous glucose monitoring: a tale of two technologies. Chin Med J (Engl) 2022; 135:1891-1893. [PMID: 36148585 PMCID: PMC9746738 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rayaz A. Malik
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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6
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Gu Y, Liu X, Yu X, Qin Q, Yu N, Ke W, Wang K, Chen M. Corneal in vivo Confocal Microscopy for Assessment of Non-Neurological Autoimmune Diseases: A Meta-Analysis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:809164. [PMID: 35372389 PMCID: PMC8965464 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.809164] [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: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the features of corneal nerve with in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) among patients with non-neurological autoimmune (NNAI) diseases. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies published until May 2021. The weighted mean differences (WMDs) of corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), tortuosity, reflectivity, and beadings per 100 μm with a 95% CI between NNAI and control group were analyzed using a random-effects model. Results The results showed 37 studies involving collective totals of 1,423 patients and 1,059 healthy controls were ultimately included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results manifested significantly decreased CNFL (WMD: −3.94, 95% CI: −4.77–−3.12), CNFD (WMD: −6.62, 95% CI: −8.4–−4.85), and CNBD (WMD: −9.89, 95% CI: −14–−5.79) in NNAI patients. In addition, the NNAI group showed more tortuous corneal nerve (WMD: 1.19, 95% CI:0.57–1.81). The comparison between NNAI patients and healthy controls in beadings per 100 μm corneal nerve length was inconsistent. No significant difference was found in the corneal nerve fiber reflectivity between NNAI and the control group (WMD: −0.21, 95% CI: −0.65–0.24, P = 0.361). Conclusions The parameters and morphology of corneal nerves observed by IVCM proved to be different in NNAI patients from healthy controls, suggesting that IVCM may be a non-invasive technique for identification and surveillance of NNAI diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Gu
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoning Yu
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiyu Qin
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Naiji Yu
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weishaer Ke
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaijun Wang
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Min Chen
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, China
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Zhou Q, Yang L, Wang Q, Li Y, Wei C, Xie L. Mechanistic investigations of diabetic ocular surface diseases. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1079541. [PMID: 36589805 PMCID: PMC9800783 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1079541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
With the global prevalence of diabetes mellitus over recent decades, more patients suffered from various diabetic complications, including diabetic ocular surface diseases that may seriously affect the quality of life and even vision sight. The major diabetic ocular surface diseases include diabetic keratopathy and dry eye. Diabetic keratopathy is characterized with the delayed corneal epithelial wound healing, reduced corneal nerve density, decreased corneal sensation and feeling of burning or dryness. Diabetic dry eye is manifested as the reduction of tear secretion accompanied with the ocular discomfort. The early clinical symptoms include dry eye and corneal nerve degeneration, suggesting the early diagnosis should be focused on the examination of confocal microscopy and dry eye symptoms. The pathogenesis of diabetic keratopathy involves the accumulation of advanced glycation end-products, impaired neurotrophic innervations and limbal stem cell function, and dysregulated growth factor signaling, and inflammation alterations. Diabetic dry eye may be associated with the abnormal mitochondrial metabolism of lacrimal gland caused by the overactivation of sympathetic nervous system. Considering the important roles of the dense innervations in the homeostatic maintenance of cornea and lacrimal gland, further studies on the neuroepithelial and neuroimmune interactions will reveal the predominant pathogenic mechanisms and develop the targeting intervention strategies of diabetic ocular surface complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingjun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lingling Yang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qun Wang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ya Li
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chao Wei
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lixin Xie
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Lixin Xie,
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Gad H, Petropoulos IN, Khan A, Ponirakis G, MacDonald R, Alam U, Malik RA. Corneal confocal microscopy for the diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Diabetes Investig 2022; 13:134-147. [PMID: 34351711 PMCID: PMC8756328 DOI: 10.1111/jdi.13643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a rapid non-invasive ophthalmic imaging technique that identifies corneal nerve fiber damage. Small studies suggest that CCM could be used to assess patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). AIM To undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the diagnostic utility of CCM for sub-clinical DPN (DPN- ) and established DPN (DPN+ ). DATA SOURCES Databases (PubMed, Embase, Central, ProQuest) were searched for studies using CCM in patients with diabetes up to April 2020. STUDY SELECTION Studies were included if they reported on at least one CCM parameter in patients with diabetes. DATA EXTRACTION Corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), and inferior whorl length (IWL) were compared between patients with diabetes with and without DPN and controls. Meta-analysis was undertaken using RevMan V.5.3. DATA SYNTHESIS Thirty-eight studies including ~4,000 participants were included in this meta-analysis. There were significant reductions in CNFD, CNBD, CNFL, and IWL in DPN- vs controls (P < 0.00001), DPN+ vs controls (P < 0.00001), and DPN+ vs DPN- (P < 0.00001). CONCLUSION This systematic review and meta-analysis shows that CCM detects small nerve fiber loss in subclinical and clinical DPN and concludes that CCM has good diagnostic utility in DPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Gad
- Department of MedicineWeill Cornell Medicine‐QatarDohaQatar
| | | | - Adnan Khan
- Department of MedicineWeill Cornell Medicine‐QatarDohaQatar
| | | | | | - Uazman Alam
- Diabetes and Neuropathy ResearchDepartment of Eye and Vision Sciences and Pain Research InstituteInstitute of Ageing and Chronic DiseaseUniversity of Liverpool and Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation TrustLiverpoolUK
- Department of Diabetes and EndocrinologyRoyal Liverpool and Broadgreen University NHS Hospital TrustLiverpoolUK
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and GastroenterologyUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Department of MedicineWeill Cornell Medicine‐QatarDohaQatar
- Institute of Cardiovascular MedicineUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
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Carmichael J, Fadavi H, Ishibashi F, Howard S, Boulton AJM, Shore AC, Tavakoli M. Implementation of corneal confocal microscopy for screening and early detection of diabetic neuropathy in primary care alongside retinopathy screening: Results from a feasibility study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:891575. [PMID: 36313738 PMCID: PMC9597366 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.891575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Screening for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is essential for early detection and timely intervention. Quantitative assessment of small nerve fiber damage is key to the early diagnosis and assessment of its progression. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a non-invasive, in-vivo diagnostic technique that provides an accurate surrogate biomarker for small-fiber neuropathy. In this novel study for the first time, we introduced CCM to primary care as a screening tool for DPN alongside retinopathy screening to assess the level of neuropathy in this novel cohort. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS 450 consecutive subjects with type 1 or type 2 diabetes attending for annual eye screening in primary care optometry settings underwent assessment with CCM to establish the prevalence of sub-clinical diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Subjects underwent assessment for neurological and ocular symptoms of diabetes and a history of diabetic foot disease, neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy (DR). RESULTS CCM examination was completed successfully in 427 (94.9%) subjects, 22% of whom had neuropathy according to Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom (DNS) score. The prevalence of sub-clinical neuropathy as defined by abnormal corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) was 12.9%. In the subjects with a short duration of type 2 diabetes, 9.2% had abnormal CNFL. CCM showed significant abnormalities in corneal nerve parameters in this cohort of subjects with reduction of corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD, p<0.001), CNFL (p<0.001) and corneal nerve branch density (CNBD, p<0.001) compared to healthy subjects. In subjects who had no evidence of DR (67% of all subjects), 12.0% had abnormal CNFL. CONCLUSIONS CCM may be a sensitive biomarker for early detection and screening of DPN in primary care alongside retinopathy screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josie Carmichael
- Exeter Centre of Excellence for Diabetes Research, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Exeter Clinical Research Facility, and Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Hassan Fadavi
- Peripheral Neuropathy Group, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
- University of Manchester, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Gastroenterology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Fukashi Ishibashi
- Internal Medicine, Ishibashi Medical and Diabetes Centre, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Susan Howard
- National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (NIHR CLAHRC), Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. M. Boulton
- University of Manchester, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Gastroenterology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Angela C. Shore
- Exeter Centre of Excellence for Diabetes Research, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Exeter Clinical Research Facility, and Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Mitra Tavakoli
- Exeter Centre of Excellence for Diabetes Research, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Exeter Clinical Research Facility, and Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
- University of Manchester, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Gastroenterology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Mitra Tavakoli,
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Perkins BA, Lovblom LE, Lewis EJH, Bril V, Ferdousi M, Orszag A, Edwards K, Pritchard N, Russell A, Dehghani C, Pacaud D, Romanchuk K, Mah JK, Jeziorska M, Marshall A, Shtein RM, Pop-Busui R, Lentz SI, Tavakoli M, Boulton AJM, Efron N, Malik RA. Corneal Confocal Microscopy Predicts the Development of Diabetic Neuropathy: A Longitudinal Diagnostic Multinational Consortium Study. Diabetes Care 2021; 44:2107-2114. [PMID: 34210657 PMCID: PMC8740920 DOI: 10.2337/dc21-0476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) has been shown in research studies to identify diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). In this longitudinal diagnostic study, we assessed the ability of CNFL to predict the development of DPN. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS From a multinational cohort of 998 participants with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, we studied the subset of 261 participants who were free of DPN at baseline and completed at least 4 years of follow-up for incident DPN. The predictive validity of CNFL for the development of DPN was determined using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS A total of 203 participants had type 1 and 58 had type 2 diabetes. Mean follow-up time was 5.8 years (interquartile range 4.2-7.0). New-onset DPN occurred in 60 participants (23%; 4.29 events per 100 person-years). Participants who developed DPN were older and had a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes, higher BMI, and longer duration of diabetes. The baseline electrophysiology and corneal confocal microscopy parameters were in the normal range but were all significantly lower in participants who developed DPN. The time-dependent area under the ROC curve for CNFL ranged between 0.61 and 0.69 for years 1-5 and was 0.80 at year 6. The optimal diagnostic threshold for a baseline CNFL of 14.1 mm/mm2 was associated with 67% sensitivity, 71% specificity, and a hazard ratio of 2.95 (95% CI 1.70-5.11; P < 0.001) for new-onset DPN. CONCLUSIONS CNFL showed good predictive validity for identifying patients at higher risk of developing DPN ∼6 years in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A Perkins
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada .,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leif Erik Lovblom
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Evan J H Lewis
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vera Bril
- The Ellen and Martin Prosserman Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Krembil Neuroscience Centre, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Andrej Orszag
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katie Edwards
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicola Pritchard
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anthony Russell
- University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Cirous Dehghani
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Danièle Pacaud
- Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kenneth Romanchuk
- Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jean K Mah
- Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Andrew Marshall
- Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Mitra Tavakoli
- University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K.,Diabetes and Vascular Research Centre, NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, U.K
| | | | - Nathan Efron
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K.,Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
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11
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D'Onofrio L, Kalteniece A, Ferdousi M, Azmi S, Petropoulos IN, Ponirakis G, Alam U, Asghar O, Marshall A, Boulton AJM, Efron N, Buzzetti R, Soran H, Malik RA. Small Nerve Fiber Damage and Langerhans Cells in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes and LADA Measured by Corneal Confocal Microscopy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:5. [PMID: 33944892 PMCID: PMC8107645 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.6.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Increased corneal and epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) have been reported in patients with diabetic neuropathy. The aim of this study was to quantify the density of LCs in relation to corneal nerve morphology and the presence of diabetic neuropathy and to determine if this differed in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). Methods Patients with T1DM (n = 25), T2DM (n = 36), or LADA (n = 23) and control subjects (n = 23) underwent detailed assessment of peripheral neuropathy and corneal confocal microscopy. Corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), branch density (CNBD), length (CNFL) and total, immature and mature LC densities were quantified. Results Lower CNFD (P < 0.001), CNBD (P < 0.0001), and CNFL (P < 0.0001) and higher LC density (P = 0.03) were detected in patients with T1DM, T2DM, and LADA compared to controls. CNBD was inversely correlated with mature (r = –0.5; P = 0.008), immature (r = –0.4; P = 0.02) and total (r = –0.5; P = 0.01) LC density, and CNFL was inversely correlated with immature LC density (r = –0.4; P = 0.03) in patients with T1DM but not in patients with T2DM and LADA. Conclusions This study shows significant corneal nerve loss and an increase in LC density in patients with T1DM, T2DM, and LADA. Furthermore, increased LC density correlated with corneal nerve loss in patients with T1DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca D'Onofrio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Alise Kalteniece
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and NIHR/Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Maryam Ferdousi
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and NIHR/Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Shazli Azmi
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and NIHR/Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ioannis N Petropoulos
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Research Division, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Georgios Ponirakis
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Research Division, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Uazman Alam
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Omar Asghar
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and NIHR/Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Marshall
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J M Boulton
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and NIHR/Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan Efron
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Handrean Soran
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and NIHR/Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester and NIHR/Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Research Division, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar
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12
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Shah R, Amador C, Tormanen K, Ghiam S, Saghizadeh M, Arumugaswami V, Kumar A, Kramerov AA, Ljubimov AV. Systemic diseases and the cornea. Exp Eye Res 2021; 204:108455. [PMID: 33485845 PMCID: PMC7946758 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
There is a number of systemic diseases affecting the cornea. These include endocrine disorders (diabetes, Graves' disease, Addison's disease, hyperparathyroidism), infections with viruses (SARS-CoV-2, herpes simplex, varicella zoster, HTLV-1, Epstein-Barr virus) and bacteria (tuberculosis, syphilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, lupus erythematosus, gout, atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis, multiple sclerosis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, sarcoidosis, Cogan's syndrome, immunobullous diseases), corneal deposit disorders (Wilson's disease, cystinosis, Fabry disease, Meretoja's syndrome, mucopolysaccharidosis, hyperlipoproteinemia), and genetic disorders (aniridia, Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, Marfan syndrome). Corneal manifestations often provide an insight to underlying systemic diseases and can act as the first indicator of an undiagnosed systemic condition. Routine eye exams can bring attention to potentially life-threatening illnesses. In this review, we provide a fairly detailed overview of the pathologic changes in the cornea described in various systemic diseases and also discuss underlying molecular mechanisms, as well as current and emerging treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi Shah
- Eye Program, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Cynthia Amador
- Eye Program, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kati Tormanen
- Center for Neurobiology and Vaccine Development, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sean Ghiam
- Sackler School of Medicine, New York State/American Program of Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mehrnoosh Saghizadeh
- Eye Program, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Departments of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Medicine, and Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vaithi Arumugaswami
- Departments of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Medicine, and Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Andrei A Kramerov
- Eye Program, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alexander V Ljubimov
- Eye Program, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Departments of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Medicine, and Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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13
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Early Detection of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Focus on Small Nerve Fibres. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11020165. [PMID: 33498918 PMCID: PMC7911433 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11020165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication of both type 1 and 2 diabetes. As a result, neuropathic pain, diabetic foot ulcers and lower-limb amputations impact drastically on quality of life, contributing to the individual, societal, financial and healthcare burden of diabetes. DPN is diagnosed at a late, often pre-ulcerative stage due to a lack of early systematic screening and the endorsement of monofilament testing which identifies advanced neuropathy only. Compared to the success of the diabetic eye and kidney screening programmes there is clearly an unmet need for an objective reliable biomarker for the detection of early DPN. This article critically appraises research and clinical methods for the diagnosis or screening of early DPN. In brief, functional measures are subjective and are difficult to implement due to technical complexity. Moreover, skin biopsy is invasive, expensive and lacks diagnostic laboratory capacity. Indeed, point-of-care nerve conduction tests are convenient and easy to implement however questions are raised regarding their suitability for use in screening due to the lack of small nerve fibre evaluation. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a rapid, non-invasive, and reproducible technique to quantify small nerve fibre damage and repair which can be conducted alongside retinopathy screening. CCM identifies early sub-clinical DPN, predicts the development and allows staging of DPN severity. Automated quantification of CCM with AI has enabled enhanced unbiased quantification of small nerve fibres and potentially early diagnosis of DPN. Improved screening tools will prevent and reduce the burden of foot ulceration and amputations with the primary aim of reducing the prevalence of this common microvascular complication.
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14
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van Setten GB, Stachs O, Dupas B, Turhan SA, Seitz B, Reitsamer H, Winter K, Horwath-Winter J, Guthoff RF, Müller-Lierheim WGK. High Molecular Weight Hyaluronan Promotes Corneal Nerve Growth in Severe Dry Eyes. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9123799. [PMID: 33255350 PMCID: PMC7760610 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9123799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high molecular weight hyaluronan (HMWHA) eye drops on subbasal corneal nerves in patients suffering from severe dry eye disease (DED) and to evaluate the damage of subbasal corneal nerves associated with severe DED. Designed as an international, multicenter study, 16 patients with symptoms of at least an Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score of 33, and corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) of at least Oxford grade 3, were included and randomized into two study arms. The control group continued to use their individual optimum artificial tears over the study period of eight weeks; in the verum group, the artificial tears were substituted by eye drops containing 0.15% HMWHA. At the baseline visit, and after eight weeks, the subbasal nerve plexus of 16 patients were assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CSLM). The images were submitted to a masked reading center for evaluation. Results showed a significant increase of total nerve fiber lengths (CNFL) in the HMWHA group (p = 0.030) when compared to the control group, where the total subbasal CNFL did not significantly change from baseline to week 8. We concluded that in severe DED patients, HMWHA from topically applied eye drops could cross the epithelial barrier and reach the subbasal nerve plexus, where it exercised a trophic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gysbert-Botho van Setten
- Department of Clininical Neuroscience, St. Eriks Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, 11282 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Oliver Stachs
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (O.S.); (R.F.G.)
| | - Bénédicte Dupas
- Quinze-Vingts National Eye Hospital & Vision Institute, 75571 Paris, France;
| | - Semra Akkaya Turhan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Marmara University School of Medicine, 34899 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Berthold Seitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany;
| | - Herbert Reitsamer
- Department of Ophthalmology & Department of Experimental Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, University Clinic Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Karsten Winter
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | | | - Rudolf F. Guthoff
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (O.S.); (R.F.G.)
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15
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Corneal nerves in diabetes-The role of the in vivo corneal confocal microscopy of the subbasal nerve plexus in the assessment of peripheral small fiber neuropathy. Surv Ophthalmol 2020; 66:493-513. [PMID: 32961210 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The cornea's intense innervation is responsible for corneal trophism and ocular surface hemostasis maintenance. Corneal diabetic neuropathy affects subbasal nerve plexus, with progressive alteration of nerves' morphology and density. The quantitative analysis of nerve fibers can be performed with in vivo corneal confocal microscopy considering the main parameters such as corneal nerve fibers length, corneal nerve fibers density, corneal nerve branching density, tortuosity coefficient, and beadings frequency. As the nerve examination permits the detection of early changes occurring in diabetes, the invivo corneal confocal microscopy becomes, over time, an important tool for diabetic polyneuropathy assessment and follow-up. In this review, we summarize the actual evidence about corneal nerve changes in diabetes and the relationship between the grade of alterations and the duration and severity of the disease. We aim at understanding how diabetes impacts corneal nerves and how it correlates with sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy and retinal complications. We also attempt to analyze the safety of the most common surgical procedures such as cataract and refractive surgery in diabetic patients and to highlight the specific risk factors. We believe that information about the corneal nerve fibers' condition obtained from the in vivo subbasal nerve plexus investigation may be crucial in monitoring peripheral small fiber polyneuropathy and that it will help with decision-making in ophthalmic surgery in diabetic patients.
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16
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Simó R, Frontoni S. Neuropathic damage in the diabetic eye: clinical implications. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2020; 55:1-7. [PMID: 32932105 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2020.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, emerging evidence support that the eye is target of diabetes neuropathy. There are two components of the eye that are mainly involved in the neurodegenerative process induced by diabetes: the retina and the cornea. The study of functional and structural changes in these components of the eye will provide useful information to identify subjects with diabetes at risk of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and dementia. In this review the state of the art regarding the evidence and clinical implications of this emerging concept will be provided. In addition, the relationship between retinal and corneal neurodegeneration with peripheral neuropathy and cognitive decline will be analyzed. Finally, the scientific gaps than need to be covered and will be critically examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Simó
- Diabetes and Metabolism Research Unit, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERDEM (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Simona Frontoni
- Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, S. Giovanni Calibita, Fate Bene Fratelli Hospital, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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17
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De Clerck EE, Schouten JS, Berendschot TT, Koolschijn RS, Nuijts RM, Schram MT, Schaper NC, Henry RM, Dagnelie PC, Ruggeri A, Guimarães P, Stehouwer CD, Webers CA. Reduced corneal nerve fibre length in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: The Maastricht Study. Acta Ophthalmol 2020; 98:485-491. [PMID: 32017403 PMCID: PMC7496813 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In individuals with diabetes, injury to the corneal nerve fibres predisposes to delayed corneal epithelial healing, reduced corneal sensitivity and corneal erosion. We investigated to what extent a reduction in corneal nerve fibre length (CNFL) is present in individuals with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes (DM2) compared with individuals with normal glucose metabolism (NGM). METHODS Using composite images acquired by corneal confocal microscopy, we assessed total CNFL per mm2 in the subbasal nerve plexus of the cornea in 134 participants (mean age 59 ± 8 years, 49% men, 87 NGM, 20 prediabetes, 27 DM2). Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the association between CNFL and glucose metabolism status, adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS In individuals with type 2 diabetes, the mean CNFL was significantly reduced [β = -1.86 mm/mm2 (95% CI -3.64 to -0.08), p = 0.04], as compared with individuals with normal glucose metabolism after adjustment for age and sex. Part of the reduction was present in individuals with prediabetes [β = -0.96 mm/mm2 (95% CI -2.91 to 0.99), p = 0.34], with a linear trend of corneal nerve fibre reduction with severity of glucose metabolism status (p trend = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS A significant reduction in CNFL was found in individuals with DM2 compared with individuals with NGM. A trend of reduction in CNFL was observed between individuals with NGM and prediabetes. The reduction in corneal nerve fibre length could contribute to a delayed corneal healing and an increased risk for corneal complications after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline E.B. De Clerck
- University Eye Clinic MaastrichtMaastricht University Medical Center +Maastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Jan S.A.G. Schouten
- University Eye Clinic MaastrichtMaastricht University Medical Center +Maastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Tos T.J.M. Berendschot
- University Eye Clinic MaastrichtMaastricht University Medical Center +Maastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Renée S. Koolschijn
- University Eye Clinic MaastrichtMaastricht University Medical Center +Maastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Rudy M.M.A. Nuijts
- University Eye Clinic MaastrichtMaastricht University Medical Center +Maastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Miranda T. Schram
- Department of Internal MedicineMaastricht University Medical Center +Maastrichtthe Netherlands,CARIM School for Cardiovascular DiseasesMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Nicolaas C. Schaper
- Department of Internal MedicineMaastricht University Medical Center +Maastrichtthe Netherlands,CARIM School for Cardiovascular DiseasesMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands,CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary CareMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Ronald M.A. Henry
- Department of Internal MedicineMaastricht University Medical Center +Maastrichtthe Netherlands,CARIM School for Cardiovascular DiseasesMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Pieter C. Dagnelie
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular DiseasesMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands,CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary CareMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands,Department of EpidemiologyMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Alfredo Ruggeri
- Department of Information EngineeringUniversity of PaduaPaduaItaly
| | - Pedro Guimarães
- Department of Information EngineeringUniversity of PaduaPaduaItaly
| | - Coen D.A. Stehouwer
- Department of Internal MedicineMaastricht University Medical Center +Maastrichtthe Netherlands,CARIM School for Cardiovascular DiseasesMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Carroll A.B. Webers
- University Eye Clinic MaastrichtMaastricht University Medical Center +Maastrichtthe Netherlands
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18
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Lewis EJH, Lovblom LE, Ferdousi M, Halpern EM, Jeziorska M, Pacaud D, Pritchard N, Dehghani C, Edwards K, Srinivasan S, Mintz Shtein R, Efron N, Tavakoli M, Bril V, Malik RA, Perkins BA. Rapid Corneal Nerve Fiber Loss: A Marker of Diabetic Neuropathy Onset and Progression. Diabetes Care 2020; 43:1829-1835. [PMID: 32139385 PMCID: PMC7372054 DOI: 10.2337/dc19-0951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) represents a biomarker for diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP). We aimed to determine the reference distribution of annual CNFL change, the prevalence of abnormal change in diabetes, and its associated clinical variables. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We examined 590 participants with diabetes (399 with type 1 diabetes [T1D] and 191 with type 2 diabetes [T2D]) and 204 control patients without diabetes with at least 1 year of follow-up and classified them according to rapid corneal nerve fiber loss (RCNFL) if CNFL change was below the 5th percentile of the control patients without diabetes. RESULTS Control patients without diabetes were 37.9 ± 19.8 years old, had median follow-up of three visits over 3.0 years, and mean annual change in CNFL was -0.1% (90% CI -5.9% to 5.0%). RCNFL was defined by values exceeding the 5th percentile of 6% loss. Participants with T1D were 39.9 ± 18.7 years old, had median follow-up of three visits over 4.4 years, and mean annual change in CNFL was -0.8% (90% CI -14.0% to 9.9%). Participants with T2D were 60.4 ± 8.2 years old, had median follow-up of three visits over 5.3 years, and mean annual change in CNFL was -0.2% (90% CI -14.1% to 14.3%). RCNFL prevalence was 17% overall and was similar by diabetes type (64 T1D [16.0%], 37 T2D [19.4%], P = 0.31). RNCFL was more common in those with baseline DSP (47% vs. 30% in those without baseline DSP, P = 0.001), which was associated with lower peroneal conduction velocity but not with baseline HbA1c or its change over follow-up. CONCLUSIONS An abnormally rapid loss of CNFL of 6% per year or more occurs in 17% of diabetes patients. RCNFL may identify patients at highest risk for the development and progression of DSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan J H Lewis
- Division of Endocrinology, Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Leif E Lovblom
- Division of Endocrinology, Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maryam Ferdousi
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K
| | - Elise M Halpern
- Division of Endocrinology, Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maria Jeziorska
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K
| | - Daniele Pacaud
- Alberta Children's Hospital, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Nicola Pritchard
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Cirous Dehghani
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Katie Edwards
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sangeetha Srinivasan
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Roni Mintz Shtein
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Nathan Efron
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Mitra Tavakoli
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K.,Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, U.K
| | - Vera Bril
- Ellen and Martin Prosserman Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, Division of Neurology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rayaz Ahmed Malik
- Institute of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K.,Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Bruce A Perkins
- Division of Endocrinology, Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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19
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Badian RA, Utheim TP, Lagali N. Region of interest and directional analysis of subbasal nerves in wide-area corneal nerve plexus mosaics in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10802. [PMID: 32612112 PMCID: PMC7329902 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67737-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) imaging of the corneal subbasal nerve plexus (SBNP) is a clinical imaging modality gaining popularity for the diagnosis and follow-up of corneal neuropathy in various conditions such as diabetes mellitus. There remain, however, major limitations to the method, hindering its widespread clinical use. Finding the same exact area of the central cornea to standardize image acquisition is difficult without a reference point. Alternatively, creating wide-area mosaics of the SBNP is resource-intensive and has not yet been developed for routine clinical use. Here, we investigated whether IVCM analysis of the corneal SBNP in a predetermined, anatomically standardized region of interest (ROI) could be applied as an equivalent substitution for wide-area SBNP mosaic generation and analysis. Furthermore, we investigated nerve patterns outside the central corneal region for a possible relationship to type 2 diabetes mellitus status using a publicly available dataset. We found that corneal nerve fibre length density (CNFL) based on the ROI underestimated the mosaic-based CNFL by an average of 34% in 90% of cases (150 eyes), and did not exhibit a significant reduction with diabetes, as seen in the full SBNP. Outside the central cornea, nerve orientation differed depending on the anatomic region (left, central or right superior plexus, P < 0.001). Moreover, in long-term type 2 diabetes mellitus (≥ 10 years, 28 subjects), nerve density in the left superior sector of the SBNP was decreased (P < 0.001) while that in the central superior SBNP increased (P = 0.01) relative to 35 age-matched healthy subjects with normal glucose tolerance. These results indicate that subbasal nerve degeneration in type 2 diabetes mellitus can vary according to anatomic location, and regions with potential diagnostic value outside the central SBNP may warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza A Badian
- Unit of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Tor Paaske Utheim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Ophthalmology, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Norway
| | - Neil Lagali
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Norway.,Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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20
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21
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Tummanapalli SS, Issar T, Kwai N, Poynten A, Krishnan AV, Willcox M, Markoulli M. Association of corneal nerve loss with markers of axonal ion channel dysfunction in type 1 diabetes. Clin Neurophysiol 2020; 131:145-154. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Tummanapalli SS, Willcox MD, Issar T, Yan A, Pisarcikova J, Kwai N, Poynten AM, Krishnan AV, Markoulli M. Tear film substance P: A potential biomarker for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Ocul Surf 2019; 17:690-698. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2019.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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23
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Deák EA, Szalai E, Tóth N, Malik RA, Berta A, Csutak A. Longitudinal Changes in Corneal Cell and Nerve Fiber Morphology in Young Patients with Type 1 Diabetes with and without Diabetic Retinopathy: A 2-Year Follow-up Study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 60:830-837. [DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-24516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eszter A. Deák
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Eszter Szalai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Noémi Tóth
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Rayaz A. Malik
- Weill Cornell Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - András Berta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Adrienne Csutak
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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Bönhof GJ, Herder C, Strom A, Papanas N, Roden M, Ziegler D. Emerging Biomarkers, Tools, and Treatments for Diabetic Polyneuropathy. Endocr Rev 2019; 40:153-192. [PMID: 30256929 DOI: 10.1210/er.2018-00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic neuropathy, with its major clinical sequels, notably neuropathic pain, foot ulcers, and autonomic dysfunction, is associated with substantial morbidity, increased risk of mortality, and reduced quality of life. Despite its major clinical impact, diabetic neuropathy remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Moreover, the evidence supporting a benefit for causal treatment is weak at least in patients with type 2 diabetes, and current pharmacotherapy is largely limited to symptomatic treatment options. Thus, a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology is mandatory for translation into new diagnostic and treatment approaches. Improved knowledge about pathogenic pathways implicated in the development of diabetic neuropathy could lead to novel diagnostic techniques that have the potential of improving the early detection of neuropathy in diabetes and prediabetes to eventually embark on new treatment strategies. In this review, we first provide an overview on the current clinical aspects and illustrate the pathogenetic concepts of (pre)diabetic neuropathy. We then describe the biomarkers emerging from these concepts and novel diagnostic tools and appraise their utility in the early detection and prediction of predominantly distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Finally, we discuss the evidence for and limitations of the current and novel therapy options with particular emphasis on lifestyle modification and pathogenesis-derived treatment approaches. Altogether, recent years have brought forth a multitude of emerging biomarkers reflecting different pathogenic pathways such as oxidative stress and inflammation and diagnostic tools for an early detection and prediction of (pre)diabetic neuropathy. Ultimately, these insights should culminate in improving our therapeutic armamentarium against this common and debilitating or even life-threatening condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gidon J Bönhof
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christian Herder
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research, Munich-Neuherberg, Neuherberg, Partner Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexander Strom
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research, Munich-Neuherberg, Neuherberg, Partner Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nikolaos Papanas
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes Center, Diabetic Foot Clinic, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Michael Roden
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research, Munich-Neuherberg, Neuherberg, Partner Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dan Ziegler
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research, Munich-Neuherberg, Neuherberg, Partner Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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25
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Andersen ST, Grosen K, Tankisi H, Charles M, Andersen NT, Andersen H, Petropoulos IN, Malik RA, Jensen TS, Karlsson P. Corneal confocal microscopy as a tool for detecting diabetic polyneuropathy in a cohort with screen-detected type 2 diabetes: ADDITION-Denmark. J Diabetes Complications 2018; 32:1153-1159. [PMID: 30309785 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2018.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
AIMS In this cross-sectional study, we explored the utility of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) measures for detecting diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) and their association with clinical variables, in a cohort with type 2 diabetes. METHODS CCM, nerve conduction studies, and assessment of symptoms and clinical deficits of DPN were undertaken in 144 participants with type 2 diabetes and 25 controls. DPN was defined according to the Toronto criteria for confirmed DPN. RESULTS Corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD) was lower both in participants with confirmed DPN (n = 27) and in participants without confirmed DPN (n = 117) compared with controls (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01, respectively). No differences were observed for CNFD (P = 0.98) between participants with and without DPN. There were no differences in CNFL and CNBD between groups (P = 0.06 and P = 0.29, respectively). CNFD was associated with age, height, total- and LDL cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS CCM could not distinguish patients with and without neuropathy, but CNFD was lower in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to controls. Age may influence the level of CCM measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signe T Andersen
- Research Unit for General Practice & Section for General Medical Practice, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kasper Grosen
- Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hatice Tankisi
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Morten Charles
- Research Unit for General Practice & Section for General Medical Practice, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Niels T Andersen
- Department of Public Health, Section for Biostatistics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henning Andersen
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ioannis N Petropoulos
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Doha, Qatar; Central Manchester University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Doha, Qatar; Central Manchester University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Troels S Jensen
- Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Pall Karlsson
- Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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26
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Baltrusch S. [Confocal microscope examination of the corneal nerve plexus as biomarker for systemic diseases : View from the corneal nerve plexus on diabetes mellitus disease]. Ophthalmologe 2018; 114:592-600. [PMID: 28378047 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-017-0480-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
It is estimated that approximately 50% of patients with diabetes mellitus suffer from polyneuropathy, which is frequently diagnosed too late. Consequently, the question arises whether imaging procedures of the eye, namely optical coherence tomography of the retina and confocal microscopy of the cornea are suitable for the diagnostics and follow-up control of neurodegenerative changes in patients with diabetes mellitus. De Clerck and co-workers could demonstrate this by a systematic review of studies. Of these studies 11 were further evaluated with respect to corneal confocal microscopy. Approximately 15 years after juvenile type 1 diabetes a reduction of corneal nerve fiber length and density was observed, although clinical signs of neuropathy were absent. At this stage an examination seems reasonable. Type 2 diabetes mellitus in the elderly is often associated with a metabolic syndrome and its time of manifestation remains unknown; therefore, corneal confocal microscopy should be implemented at the time of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Patients with long disease duration and significant changes in the corneal nerve plexus already showed clinical signs of polyneuropathy and often suffered from proliferative retinopathy. The accessibility of the eye for non-invasive optical modalities should be used more often in the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus for early identification of patients at risk. Further longitudinal studies are highly necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Baltrusch
- Institut für Medizinische Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, Universitätsmedizin, Universität Rostock, Schillingallee 70, 18057, Rostock, Deutschland.
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Lv Y, Zhao S. What is the best strategy on detection of cornea neuropathy in people with diabetes? Recent advances in potential measurements. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2018; 142:203-212. [PMID: 29596948 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
There are well-acknowledged clinical or pre-clinical measurements concerning diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). The current gold standard for diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is nerve conduction suitable for detecting large nerve fiber function and intraepidermal nerve fiber density assessment for small fiber damage evaluation [2]. The lack of a sensitive, non-invasive, and repeatable endpoint to measure changes in small nerve fibers is a major factor holding back clinical trials for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. As cornea is the most densely innerved tissue, assessing corneal nerves' structure and function will be promising to predict and assess the degree of DPN. In the diabetic micro-environment, damaged corneal nerves lead to decreased corneal sensitivity, both of which resulting in abnormal tear function. According to this theory, the measurements of nerve structure, corneal sensitivity, tear secretion and tear components, to some extent, can reveal and assess the state of corneal neuropathy. This review focuses on summarizing the knowledge of the latest detective methods of diabetic corneal neuropathy, popular in use or possible to further in study and be applied into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Lv
- Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin Medical University Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300384, China.
| | - Shaozhen Zhao
- Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin Medical University Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300384, China.
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28
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Kokot J, Wylęgała A, Wowra B, Wójcik Ł, Dobrowolski D, Wylęgała E. Corneal confocal sub-basal nerve plexus evaluation: a review. Acta Ophthalmol 2018; 96:232-242. [PMID: 28741902 DOI: 10.1111/aos.13518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to review the most recent data about corneal sub-basal nerve plexus (SNP) evaluated with the use of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). For this purpose, an electronic search was conducted based on PubMed and Google Scholar and Web of Science databases from 2008 up to the end of 2016. Ninety-eight articles in English were cited, as well as abstracts in other languages, concerning the morphology and function of corneal SNP in various diseases. Changes in corneal SNP as a result of local treatment were also introduced. Figures with scans from confocal microscopy from our Department were included. The main conclusion of this review was that both corneal SNP diminishment and high tortuosity as well as low sensitivity are in principle related to the presence or level of pathology. In addition, increased nerve tortuosity may represent a morphological determinant of nerve regeneration. However, the presented literature shows that SNP changes are not characteristic for one unified corneal pathology; rather, they reflect the non-specific pathological process present in many diseases. Future studies should use automatized biometric software and also examine the effects of new treatments on SNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kokot
- Ophthalmology Department; Railway Hospital Katowice; II School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze; Medical University of Silesia; Katowice Poland
| | - Adam Wylęgała
- Ophthalmology Department; Railway Hospital Katowice; II School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze; Medical University of Silesia; Katowice Poland
| | - Bogumił Wowra
- Ophthalmology Department; Railway Hospital Katowice; II School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze; Medical University of Silesia; Katowice Poland
| | - Łukasz Wójcik
- Ophthalmology Department; Railway Hospital Katowice; II School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze; Medical University of Silesia; Katowice Poland
| | - Dariusz Dobrowolski
- Ophthalmology Department; Railway Hospital Katowice; II School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze; Medical University of Silesia; Katowice Poland
| | - Edward Wylęgała
- Ophthalmology Department; Railway Hospital Katowice; II School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze; Medical University of Silesia; Katowice Poland
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29
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Wide-field corneal subbasal nerve plexus mosaics in age-controlled healthy and type 2 diabetes populations. Sci Data 2018; 5:180075. [PMID: 29688226 PMCID: PMC5914299 DOI: 10.1038/sdata.2018.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A dense nerve plexus in the clear outer window of the eye, the cornea, can be imaged in vivo to enable non-invasive monitoring of peripheral nerve degeneration in diabetes. However, a limited field of view of corneal nerves, operator-dependent image quality, and subjective image sampling methods have led to difficulty in establishing robust diagnostic measures relating to the progression of diabetes and its complications. Here, we use machine-based algorithms to provide wide-area mosaics of the cornea's subbasal nerve plexus (SBP) also accounting for depth (axial) fluctuation of the plexus. Degradation of the SBP with age has been mitigated as a confounding factor by providing a dataset comprising healthy and type 2 diabetes subjects of the same age. To maximize reuse, the dataset includes bilateral eye data, associated clinical parameters, and machine-generated SBP nerve density values obtained through automatic segmentation and nerve tracing algorithms. The dataset can be used to examine nerve degradation patterns to develop tools to non-invasively monitor diabetes progression while avoiding narrow-field imaging and image selection biases.
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30
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The corneal subbasal nerve plexus and thickness of the retinal layers in pediatric type 1 diabetes and matched controls. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14. [PMID: 29311586 PMCID: PMC5758564 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18284-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the retina and corneal confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of the subbasal nerve plexus (SBP) are noninvasive techniques for quantification of the ocular neurodegenerative changes in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). In adult T1DM patients these changes are hardly related to T1DM only. Instead, ageing and/or lifestyle associated comorbidities have to be considered as putative confounding variables. Therefore, we investigated pediatric T1DM patients (n = 28; 14.2 ± 2.51 y; duration of disease: 5.39 ± 4.16 y) without clinical signs of diabetic retina disease, neuropathy, vasculopathy or nephropathy and compared our findings with those obtained in healthy controls (n = 46; 14.8 ± 1.89 y). The SBP was characterized by the averaged length, thickness, and tortuosity of nerve fibers as well as the number of branching and connecting points. OCT was used to determine the total thickness of the retina (ALL) and the thickness of each retinal layer. Both methods revealed signs of early neurodegenerative changes, e.g. thinning of distinct retinal layers at the pericentral ring and shortening of corneal nerve fibers that are already present in pediatric T1DM patients. Standardization of instruments and algorithms are urgently required to enable uniform comparison between different groups and define normative values to introduce in the clinical setting.
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32
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33
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Stuard WL, Titone R, Robertson DM. Tear Levels of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 Correlate With Subbasal Nerve Plexus Changes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 58:6105-6112. [PMID: 29214310 PMCID: PMC5718599 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-22425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study investigated the expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in basal tears of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to nondiabetic controls; and correlated tear levels of IGFBP-3 with morphologic changes in the subbasal nerve plexus and density of basal corneal epithelial cells. Methods This was a single visit, cross-sectional study. Diabetic and control subjects were matched for age, sex, smoking status, and body mass index. Tear levels of IGFBP-3 were measured using ELISA. Corneal nerve and basal epithelial cell changes were measured using in vivo confocal microscopy. Results Tear levels of IGFBP-3 were 3.5-fold higher in those with diabetes. Patients with diabetes also showed a reduction in nerve fiber layer, nerve branch density, and corneal basal epithelial cell density. There was no significant difference in corneal sensitivity. IGFBP-3 levels were highly correlated with nerve fiber length and branch density; while hemoglobin (Hb)A1c was only moderately correlated. There were no significant differences in the clinical or subjective signs of dry eye between groups, indicating that tear levels of IGFBP-3 and corneal nerve changes were not due to the presence of mild dry eye. Conclusions These findings indicate that tear levels of IGFBP-3 are more tightly correlated to nerve fiber changes in diabetes than HbA1c. Future studies that stratify the severity of diabetic disease with tear levels of IGFBP-3 are needed to validate this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney L Stuard
- The Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Rossella Titone
- The Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Danielle M Robertson
- The Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
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34
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Diabetic complications in the cornea. Vision Res 2017; 139:138-152. [PMID: 28404521 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2017.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic corneal alterations, such as delayed epithelial wound healing, edema, recurrent erosions, neuropathy/loss of sensitivity, and tear film changes are frequent but underdiagnosed complications of both type 1 (insulin-dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. The disease affects corneal epithelium, corneal nerves, tear film, and to a lesser extent, endothelium, and also conjunctiva. These abnormalities may appear or become exacerbated following trauma, as well as various surgeries including retinal, cataract or refractive. The focus of the review is on mechanisms of diabetic corneal abnormalities, available animal, tissue and organ culture models, and emerging treatments. Changes of basement membrane structure and wound healing rates, the role of various proteinases, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), abnormal growth and motility factors (including opioid, epidermal, and hepatocyte growth factors) are analyzed. Experimental therapeutics under development, including topical naltrexone, insulin, inhibitors of aldose reductase, and AGEs, as well as emerging gene and cell therapies are discussed in detail.
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A systematic review on the impact of diabetes mellitus on the ocular surface. Nutr Diabetes 2017; 7:e251. [PMID: 28319106 PMCID: PMC5380897 DOI: 10.1038/nutd.2017.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is associated with extensive morbidity and mortality in any human community. It is well understood that the burden of diabetes is attributed to chronic progressive damage in major end-organs, but it is underappreciated that the most superficial and transparent organ affected by diabetes is the cornea. Different corneal components (epithelium, nerves, immune cells and endothelium) underpin specific systemic complications of diabetes. Just as diabetic retinopathy is a marker of more generalized microvascular disease, corneal nerve changes can predict peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, providing a window of opportunity for early treatment. In addition, alterations of immune cells in corneas suggest an inflammatory component in diabetic complications. Furthermore, impaired corneal epithelial wound healing may also imply more widespread disease. The non-invasiveness and improvement in imaging technology facilitates the emergence of new screening tools. Systemic control of diabetes can improve ocular surface health, possibly aided by anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective agents.
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Repeatability of Measuring Corneal Nerve Migration Rate in Individuals With and Without Diabetes. Cornea 2016; 35:1355-61. [DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000000913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Maddaloni E, Sabatino F. In vivo corneal confocal microscopy in diabetes: Where we are and where we can get. World J Diabetes 2016; 7:406-411. [PMID: 27660697 PMCID: PMC5027004 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v7.i17.406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCCM) is a novel, reproducible, easy and noninvasive technique that allows the study of the different layers of the cornea at a cellular level. As cornea is the most innervated organ of human body, several studies investigated the use of corneal confocal microscopy to detect diabetic neuropathies, which are invalidating and deadly complications of diabetes mellitus. Corneal nerve innervation has been shown impaired in subjects with diabetes and a close association between damages of peripheral nerves due to the diabetes and alterations in corneal sub-basal nerve plexus detected by IVCCM has been widely demonstrated. Interestingly, these alterations seem to precede the clinical onset of diabetic neuropathies, paving the path for prevention studies. However, some concerns still prevent the full implementation of this technique in clinical practice. In this review we summarize the most recent and relevant evidences about the use of IVCCM for the diagnosis of peripheral sensorimotor polyneuropathy and of autonomic neuropathy in diabetes. New perspectives and current limitations are also discussed.
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DeMill DL, Hussain M, Pop-Busui R, Shtein RM. Ocular surface disease in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Br J Ophthalmol 2015; 100:924-928. [PMID: 26500330 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2015-307369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To analyse clinical signs and symptoms of ocular surface disease in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), based on severity of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). METHODS This cross-sectional study included participants who were carefully phenotyped by a multidisciplinary team and categorised into groups based on severity of DPN. All study participants underwent ophthalmic evaluation and completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25). RESULTS The 34 study participants were healthy controls (n=9), patients with DM and mild or no DPN (n=16) and patients with DM and severe DPN (n=9). Tear osmolarity was increased, and corneal nerve fibre length was decreased, with increasing severity of DPN. In addition, patients with DM were found to have decreased Schirmer's test values when compared with healthy controls. No statistically significant differences were found between groups in OSDI, tear breakup time or corneal sensitivity. No statistically significant correlations were noted between the OSDI or VFQ-25 scores and clinical signs of dry eyes. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates some increased clinical signs of ocular surface disease but not an increase in subjective symptoms of dry eyes, with increasing severity of DPN. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between OSDI scores and clinical signs of dry eye. A periodic evaluation of the ocular surface is important for patients with DM, in addition to retinopathy screening, as they may be asymptomatic but have severe dry eye disease, which can lead to further ocular surface complications such as corneal ulceration. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01695629.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L DeMill
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Munira Hussain
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Rodica Pop-Busui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Roni M Shtein
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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De Clerck EEB, Schouten JSAG, Berendschot TTJM, Kessels AGH, Nuijts RMMA, Beckers HJM, Schram MT, Stehouwer CDA, Webers CAB. New ophthalmologic imaging techniques for detection and monitoring of neurodegenerative changes in diabetes: a systematic review. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2015; 3:653-63. [PMID: 26184671 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-8587(15)00136-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2014] [Revised: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the retina and around the optic nerve head and corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) are non-invasive and repeatable techniques that can quantify ocular neurodegenerative changes in individuals with diabetes. We systematically reviewed studies of ocular neurodegenerative changes in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and noted changes in the retina, the optic nerve head, and the cornea. Of the 30 studies that met our inclusion criteria, 14 used OCT and 16 used CCM to assess ocular neurodegenerative changes. Even in the absence of diabetic retinopathy, several layers in the retina and the mean retinal nerve fibre layer around the optic nerve head were significantly thinner (-5·36 μm [95% CI -7·13 to -3·58]) in individuals with type 2 diabetes compared with individuals without diabetes. In individuals with type 1 diabetes without retinopathy none of the intraretinal layer thicknesses were significantly reduced compared with individuals without diabetes. In the absence of diabetic polyneuropathy, individuals with type 2 diabetes had a lower nerve density (nerve branch density: -1·10/mm(2) [95% CI -4·22 to 2·02]), nerve fibre density: -5·80/mm(2) [-8·06 to -3·54], and nerve fibre length: -4·00 mm/mm(2) [-5·93 to -2·07]) in the subbasal nerve plexus of the cornea than individuals without diabetes. Individuals with type 1 diabetes without polyneuropathy also had a lower nerve density (nerve branch density: -7·74/mm(2) [95% CI -14·13 to -1·34], nerve fibre density: -2·68/mm(2) [-5·56 to 0·20]), and nerve fibre length: -2·58 mm/mm(2) [-3·94 to -1·21]). Ocular neurodegenerative changes are more evident when diabetic retinopathy or polyneuropathy is present. OCT and CCM are potentially useful, in addition to conventional clinical methods, to assess diabetic neurodegenerative changes. Additional research is needed to determine their incremental benefit and to standardise procedures before the application of OCT and CCM in daily practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline E B De Clerck
- Department of Ophthalmology, Maastricht University Medical Center +, Maastricht, Netherlands.
| | - Jan S A G Schouten
- Department of Ophthalmology, Maastricht University Medical Center +, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Tos T J M Berendschot
- Department of Ophthalmology, Maastricht University Medical Center +, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Alfons G H Kessels
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center +, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Rudy M M A Nuijts
- Department of Ophthalmology, Maastricht University Medical Center +, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Henny J M Beckers
- Department of Ophthalmology, Maastricht University Medical Center +, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Miranda T Schram
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Institute, Maastricht University Medical Center +, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Coen D A Stehouwer
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Institute, Maastricht University Medical Center +, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Carroll A B Webers
- Department of Ophthalmology, Maastricht University Medical Center +, Maastricht, Netherlands
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40
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Tavakoli M, Ferdousi M, Petropoulos IN, Morris J, Pritchard N, Zhivov A, Ziegler D, Pacaud D, Romanchuk K, Perkins BA, Lovblom LE, Bril V, Singleton JR, Smith G, Boulton AJM, Efron N, Malik RA. Normative values for corneal nerve morphology assessed using corneal confocal microscopy: a multinational normative data set. Diabetes Care 2015; 38:838-43. [PMID: 25633665 PMCID: PMC4407754 DOI: 10.2337/dc14-2311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Corneal confocal microscopy is a novel diagnostic technique for the detection of nerve damage and repair in a range of peripheral neuropathies, in particular diabetic neuropathy. Normative reference values are required to enable clinical translation and wider use of this technique. We have therefore undertaken a multicenter collaboration to provide worldwide age-adjusted normative values of corneal nerve fiber parameters. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 1,965 corneal nerve images from 343 healthy volunteers were pooled from six clinical academic centers. All subjects underwent examination with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph corneal confocal microscope. Images of the central corneal subbasal nerve plexus were acquired by each center using a standard protocol and analyzed by three trained examiners using manual tracing and semiautomated software (CCMetrics). Age trends were established using simple linear regression, and normative corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve fiber branch density (CNBD), corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), and corneal nerve fiber tortuosity (CNFT) reference values were calculated using quantile regression analysis. RESULTS There was a significant linear age-dependent decrease in CNFD (-0.164 no./mm(2) per year for men, P < 0.01, and -0.161 no./mm(2) per year for women, P < 0.01). There was no change with age in CNBD (0.192 no./mm(2) per year for men, P = 0.26, and -0.050 no./mm(2) per year for women, P = 0.78). CNFL decreased in men (-0.045 mm/mm(2) per year, P = 0.07) and women (-0.060 mm/mm(2) per year, P = 0.02). CNFT increased with age in men (0.044 per year, P < 0.01) and women (0.046 per year, P < 0.01). Height, weight, and BMI did not influence the 5th percentile normative values for any corneal nerve parameter. CONCLUSIONS This study provides robust worldwide normative reference values for corneal nerve parameters to be used in research and clinical practice in the study of diabetic and other peripheral neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Tavakoli
- Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K
| | - Maryam Ferdousi
- Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K
| | - Ioannis N Petropoulos
- Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K
| | - Julie Morris
- Medical Statistics Unit, University of Manchester and University Hospital of South Manchester, Manchester, U.K
| | - Nicola Pritchard
- Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Andrey Zhivov
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Dan Ziegler
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center at Heinrich Heine University, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Düsseldorf, Germany Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Danièle Pacaud
- Alberta Children's Hospital, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Kenneth Romanchuk
- Alberta Children's Hospital, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Bruce A Perkins
- Division of Endocrinology, Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Leif E Lovblom
- Division of Endocrinology, Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Vera Bril
- Division of Neurology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Gordon Smith
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Andrew J M Boulton
- Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K
| | - Nathan Efron
- Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K. Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Ar Rayyān, Qatar
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41
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Abstract
The present brief review discusses recent progress with corneal confocal microscopy for the evaluation of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Corneal confocal microscopy is a new, non-invasive and reproducible diagnostic modality, and it can also be easily applied for patient follow up. It enables new perspectives of studying the natural history of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy, severity of nerve fiber pathology and documenting early nerve fiber regeneration after therapeutic intervention. It shows moderate to high sensitivity and specificity for the timely diagnosis of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Currently, corneal confocal microscopy is mainly used in specialized centers, but deserves more widespread application for the assessment of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Finally, further progress is required in terms of technical improvements for automated nerve fiber quantification and for analysis of larger images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Papanas
- Diabetes Clinic, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Dan Ziegler
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center at Heinrich Heine University, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research Düsseldorf, Germany ; Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany
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