Implementation and validation of a Bayesian method for accurately forecasting duration of optimal pharmacodynamic target attainment with dalbavancin during long-term use for subacute and chronic staphylococcal infections

Dalbavancin is increasingly being used for long-term treatment of subacute and chronic staphylococcal infections. In this study, a new Bayesian model was implemented and validated using MwPharm software for accurately forecasting the duration of pharmacodynamic target attainment above the efficacy thresholds of 4.02 mg/L or 8.04 mg/L against staphylococci. Forecasting accuracy improved substantially with the a posteriori approach compared with the a priori approach, particularly when two measured concentrations were used. This strategy may help clinicians to estimate the duration of optimal exposure with dalbavancin in the context of long-term treatment.

Incidence, associated disease burden and healthcare utilization due to Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic joint infection in European hospitals: the COMBACTE-NET ARTHR-IS multi-centre study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence, associated disease burden and healthcare utilization due to Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic joint infections (SA-PJI) after primary hip and knee arthroplasty in European centres.

METHODS

This study was conducted in patients who underwent primary hip and knee arthroplasty in 19 European hospitals between 2014 and 2016. The global incidence of PJI and SA-PJI was calculated. The associated disease burden was measured indirectly as infection-related mortality plus loss of function. For healthcare utilization, number and duration of hospitalizations, number and type of surgical procedures, duration of antibiotic treatments, and number of outpatient visits were collected. Subgroup and regression analyses were used to evaluate the impact of SA-PJI on healthcare utilization, controlling for confounding variables.

RESULTS

The incidence of PJI caused by any micro-organism was 1.41%, and 0.40% for SA-PJI. Among SA-PJI, 20.7% were due to MRSA with substantial regional differences, and were more frequent in partial hip arthroplasty (PHA). Related deaths and loss of function occurred in 7.0% and 10.2% of SA-PJI cases, respectively, and were higher in patients with PHA. Compared with patients without PJI, patients with SA-PJI had a mean of 1.4 more readmissions, 25.1 more days of hospitalization, underwent 1.8 more surgical procedures, and had 5.4 more outpatient visits, controlling for confounding variables. Healthcare utilization was higher in patients who failed surgical treatment of SA-PJI.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed that the SA-PJI burden is high, especially in PHA, and provided a solid basis for planning interventions to prevent SA-PJI.

Silver-Coated Distal Femur Megaprosthesis in Chronic Infections with Severe Bone Loss: A Multicentre Case Series

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) and fracture-related infections (FRI) of the distal femur (DF) may result in massive bone defects. Treatment options include articulated silver-coated (SC) megaprosthesis (MP) in the context of a two-stage protocol. However, there is limited evidence in the literature on this topic. A retrospective review of the prospectively maintained databases of three Institutions was performed. Forty-five patients were included. The mean follow-up time was 43 ± 17.1 months. Eight (17.8%) patients had a recurrent infection. The estimated recurrence-free survival rate was 91.1% (93.5% PJI vs. 85.7% FRI) 2 years following MP implantation, and 75.7% (83.2% PJI vs. 64.3% FRI; p = 0.253) after 5 years. No statistically relevant difference was found according to the initial diagnosis (PJI vs. FRI). Among possible risk factors, only resection length was found to significantly worsen the outcomes in terms of infection control (p = 0.031). A total of eight complications not related to infection were found after reimplantation, but only five of them required further surgery. Above-the-knee amputation was performed in two cases (4.4%), both for reinfection. Articulated DF SC MP in a two-stage protocol is a safe and effective treatment for chronic knee infection with severe bone loss.

Management of periprosthetic joint infection of shoulder arthroplasty: Single-stage versus two-stage protocols. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature

Background

The treatment of shoulder prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) requiring removal of the prosthesis is not well defined. This article aims to systematically review and compare the results of the literature in single-stage and two-stage protocols in the treatment of shoulder PJI.

Methods

An in-depth search on PubMed/Scopus/Web of Science databases and cross-referencing search was carried out concerning the articles reporting detailed data on the topic.

Results

A total of 486 shoulder PJIs were included: 137 treated with single-stage and 349 with two-stage procedure. A similar distribution between early and not-early infections (19.1% vs 80.9%) was found between the two groups. The overall rate of success in terms of PJI eradication was significantly higher in the single-stage group (95.6% vs 85.7%, p < 0.001). The non-infection-related complications rate was 13.8% in the single-stage group and 37.6% in the two-stage group (p < 0.001), the non-infection-related revision rate was 8% and 18.9%, respectively (p = 0.005).

Discussion

The single-phase protocol showed a higher success rate in eradicating the infection and a lower complication rate. However, the low number of patients included, the low quality of the articles, the lack of data on clinical severity and bacteriological virulence suggest caution in conclusions.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations for optimizing antimicrobial therapy used to treat bone and joint infections: an evidence-based algorithmic approach

INTRODUCTION

Bone and joint infections (BJIs) are a major health concern causing remarkable morbidity and mortality. However, which antimicrobial treatment could be the best according to specific clinical scenarios and/or to the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) features remains an unmet clinical need. This multidisciplinary opinion article aims to develop evidence-based algorithms for empirical and targeted antibiotic therapy of patients affected by BJIs.

AREAS COVERED

A multidisciplinary team of four experts had several rounds of assessment for developing algorithms devoted to empirical and targeted antimicrobial therapy of BJIs. A literature search was performed on PubMed-MEDLINE (until April 2023) to provide evidence for supporting therapeutic choices. Four different clinical scenarios were structured according to specific infection types (i.e. vertebral osteomyelitis, prosthetic joint infections, infected non-unions and other chronic osteomyelitis, and infectious arthritis), need or not of surgical intervention or revision, isolation or not of clinically relevant bacterial pathogens from blood and/or tissue cultures, and PK/PD features of antibiotics.

EXPERT OPINION

The proposed therapeutic algorithms were based on a multifaceted approach considering the peculiar features of each antibiotic (spectrum of activity, PK/PD properties, bone penetration rate, and anti-biofilm activity), and could be hopefully helpful in improving clinical outcome of BJIs.

Rates and Predictors of Treatment Failure in Staphylococcus aureus Prosthetic Joint Infections According to Different Management Strategies: A Multinational Cohort Study-The ARTHR-IS Study Group

INTRODUCTION

Guidelines have improved the management of prosthetic joint infections (PJI). However, it is necessary to reassess the incidence and risk factors for treatment failure (TF) of Staphylococcus aureus PJI (SA-PJI) including functional loss, which has so far been neglected as an outcome.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of SA-PJI was performed in 19 European hospitals between 2014 and 2016. The outcome variable was TF, including related mortality, clinical failure and functional loss both after the initial surgical procedure and after all procedures at 18 months. Predictors of TF were identified by logistic regression. Landmark analysis was used to avoid immortal time bias with rifampicin when debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) was performed.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty cases of SA-PJI were included. TF rates after the first and all surgical procedures performed were 32.8% and 24.2%, respectively. After all procedures, functional loss was 6.0% for DAIR and 17.2% for prosthesis removal. Variables independently associated with TF for the first procedure were Charlson ≥ 2, haemoglobin < 10 g/dL, bacteraemia, polymicrobial infection and additional debridement(s). For DAIR, TF was also associated with a body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m² and delay of DAIR, while rifampicin use was protective. For all procedures, the variables associated with TF were haemoglobin < 10 g/dL, hip fracture and additional joint surgery not related to persistent infection.

CONCLUSIONS

TF remains common in SA-PJI. Functional loss accounted for a substantial proportion of treatment failures, particularly after prosthesis removal. Use of rifampicin after DAIR was associated with a protective effect. Among the risk factors identified, anaemia and obesity have not frequently been reported in previous studies.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov, registration no. NCT03826108.

Synchronous Periprosthetic Joint Infections: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) occurring in multiple joints at the same time (synchronous PJI) are an extremely rare complication, frequently associated with bacteremia, and are associated with high mortality rates. The presence of three or more prosthetic joints, rheumatoid arthritis, neoplasia, bacteremia and immune-modulating therapy seem to be the recurring risk factors for synchronous PJI. In case of PJIs, all other replaced joints should be considered as potentially infected and investigated if PJI is suspected. Treatments of synchronous multiple PJIs vary and must be decided on a case-by-case basis. However, the advantages of one-stage exchange seem to outweigh the two-stage protocol, as it decreases the number of necessary surgical procedures. Nonetheless, too few studies have been conducted to allow firm conclusions about the best handling of synchronous PJI. Thus, additional studies are needed to understand this devastating complication and to design the most appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic path.

Oral versus standard antimicrobial treatment for pyogenic native vertebral osteomyelitis: a single center, retrospective, propensity score balanced analysis

Background

Interest toward shorter antimicrobial regimens and oral treatment for osteoarticular infections is growing. The aim of this study is to assess whether there is an association between the administration of an entirely oral antibiotic therapy (OT) and the clinical outcome of native vertebral osteomyelitis (NVOs).

Methods

Single center, retrospective, observational study on consecutive patients with pyogenic NVOs over a 10-year period (2008-2018). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify risk factors for clinical failure, both in the whole population and in subgroups. The impact of OT versus standard treatment (intravenous induction followed by oral treatment whenever possible) was assessed in patients with a non-multidrug resistant microorganism (MDRO) etiology and the impact of a rifampin-containing regimen was assessed in patients affected by NVOs caused by staphylococci or of unknown etiology.

Results

Study population included 249 patients, 33 (13.3%) experienced clinical failure; OT group consisted of 54 patients (21.7%). Multivariate regression analysis of the whole population selected Charlson Comorbidity Index (aOR 1.291, 95% CI 1.114-1.497, p = 0.001) and MDRO etiology (aOR 3.301, 95% CI 1.368-7.964, p = 0.008) as independent factors for clinical failure. Among patients affected by a non-MDRO NVO, OT was not associated with an increased risk of clinical failure (aOR 0.487, 95% CI 0.133-1.782, p value = 0.271), even after adjustment for the propensity score of receiving OT. In the subgroup of patients with staphylococcal or unknown etiology NVO rifampin was independently associated with favorable outcome (aOR 0.315, 95% CI 0.105-0.949, p value = 0.040)

Conclusions

An entirely oral, highly bioavailable treatment, including rifampin, may be as effective as parenteral treatment in selected patients with NVOs.

Spine Infections: the role of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG PET) in the context of the actual diagnosis guideline

Spondylodiscitis is an infectious process that requires numerous health care professionals to be clearly diagnosed and eventually successfully treated. It implies a variety of microbiological agents and conditions; during the diagnostic workup, it is difficult to correctly identify them, and the clinician has to rapidly choose the correct treatment to avoid permanent injuries to the patient. In this context, we conducted a review to better understand the most suitable use of Positron Emission Tomography with 18-Fluoro-deossi-glucose (FDG PET) in a patient suspected of spondylodiscitis, based on current guidelines and literature.. We wanted to review the role of FDG PET in the spondylodiscitis diagnosis and follow up in the context of the current guidelines.

White Blood Cell Count Is the Most Reliable Test for the Diagnosis of Septic Arthritis After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: An Observational Study of 38 Patients

PURPOSE

(1) To evaluate the diagnostic testing performance of the synovial white blood cell (WBC) count, polymorphonuclear cell percentage, and synovial glucose, synovial protein, synovial lactate dehydrogenase, and synovial C-reactive protein levels as diagnostic markers for the diagnosis of septic arthritis after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction; (2) to define the ideal thresholds of the aforementioned tests, leading to the optimal sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy; and (3) to define the sensitivity of synovial fluid culture and synovial tissue sample culture, as well as determine whether previous antibiotic treatment may affect the accuracy of these tests.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients readmitted from January 2009 to September 2019 with signs suggestive of septic arthritis and undergoing a knee aspiration for synovial fluid analysis and culture. The receiver operating characteristic curve and the associated area under the curve were constructed for the aforementioned synovial markers. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were calculated for the obtained optimal values. Sensitivity was also calculated for synovial fluid culture and synovial tissue sample culture, and the influence of previous antibiotic treatments on culture sensitivity was evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 3,408 cases of ACL reconstruction, after the exclusion of 13 patients not meeting the inclusion criteria, 24 infected and 14 uninfected patients were reviewed and included in the analysis. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of 2 positive culture findings with the same isolated microorganism or at least 3 of the 4 following criteria: elevated serum C-reactive protein level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, positive results of histologic analysis of synovial tissue, macroscopic evidence of purulence, and 1 positive culture finding. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the most reliable marker for the diagnosis of septic arthritis after ACL reconstruction was the synovial WBC count (area under the curve, 0.89). A cutoff value of 28,100 cells/mL presented the highest accuracy (0.85), highest PPV (0.94), and highest NPV (0.76); moreover, with the threshold set at 40,000 cells/mL, postoperative infection could be diagnosed with 100% specificity. The sensitivity of synovial fluid culture was significantly lower than the sensitivity of synovial tissue sample culture (0.63 vs 0.96, P = .0045); moreover, the sensitivity further decreased if patients took antibiotics before aspiration (0.44 vs 0.73), although this decrease was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The synovial WBC count is the most reliable test for the diagnosis of septic arthritis after ACL reconstruction. Although the sensitivity of synovial fluid culture is affected by previous antibiotic treatment, the synovial WBC count is not influenced and proves to be useful in the diagnosis of this uncommon complication.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, diagnostic study.

Spinal tuberculosis: proposed spinal infection multidisciplinary management project (SIMP) flow chart revision

OBJECTIVE

We propose a revised flow chart of spinal infection multidisciplinary management project (SIMP) aimed to standardize the diagnostic process and management of spinal tuberculosis (TB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed data from all TB cases with osteoarticular involvement treated at a large tertiary teaching hospital in Bologna, Northern Italy, from January 2013 to December 2017. We cross-linked notified osteoarticular TB cases with SIMP database and we analysed clinical, diagnostic, and treatment data of all cases managed by SIMP.

RESULTS

Osteoarticular TB accounted for the 7.8% (n=40) of all TB cases notified between 2013 and 2017 (N=513). Among the identified cases, 52% (n=21/40) had spine involvement: all were enrolled and evaluated by SIMP multidisciplinary group. Females accounted for 57% (12/21) of patients, the median age was 52 years (range 24-82). In the 67% (n=14/21) of cases, the major clinical symptom of spinal TB was back pain reported for a median of 4.5 months (range 1-12 months) before hospital admission. The interferon gamma release assay was positive in 75% (n=16/21) of patients. All patients performed MRI with gadolinium, which indicated spondylodiscitis in 90%. 18F-FDG-PET/CT revealed average maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) of 12.54 (range 5.3-22) in 17/19 (89.5%). Bacteriological confirmation of TB was obtained in 86% of cases (n=18/21). One-third of patients (7/21) underwent surgery and 95% successfully completed the anti-TB treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data reveal that a multidisciplinary approach to spine tuberculosis facilitates early and accurate diagnosis and can improve medical and surgical management of this disease.

Spondylodiscitis: is really all well defined?

The term spondylodiscitis describes the infection of both the intervertebral disc space and the adjacent vertebrae. Pyogenic Vertebral Osteomyelitis (PVO) is more common in older patients (mean age 59-69 years) with a male preponderance (52-69%). Recent studies reported an alarming increase of incidence over the last 20 years, due to the increase of diagnostic sensibility, the increase of the average lifetime and to the consequent association of chronic disabling pathologies, of immunosuppression, of surgical or invasive procedure. Improvements in radiological diagnosis, surgical techniques, and management of antimicrobial therapy have greatly improved PVO clinical outcome, but morbidity remains significant mostly because of the delay of diagnosis. The non-specific features of this infection can lead to underestimate the patient conditions, ending to a significant delay in diagnosis, reported from 30 to 90 days, and consequently to severe impairments, such as spine deformity and permanent neurological deficit. The duration of medical treatment is not yet established, and further randomized trials are needed to define it.

Spondylodiscitis in familial dysautonomia: a case report

Familial dysautomonia (FD, or Riley-Day syndrome) is a rare but fatal autosomal recessive peripheral neuropathy caused by a point mutation in I-κ-B kinase complex associated protein (IKBCAP) gene. The disease, that affects primarily people of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, prejudices the development of primary sensory neurons determining depletion of autonomic and sensory neurons. Musculoskeletal problems include: spinal deformities, foot deformities, fractures and arthopathies. In this article we review a case of a 34 years old male of non-Jewish origin affected by FD presenting L2-L3 kyphosis and inability to walk due to chronic L2-L3 spondylodiscitis not surgically treated 14 years before as acute disease. De novo spondylodiscitis affecting patients presenting FD and its subsequent management was not previously described in the literature.

[Bacterial and fungal urinary tract infections: epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical management]

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections and represent a significant problem both from an epidemiological and clinical point of view. Moreover, they place a substantial financial burden on society. UTIs can be asymptomatic or symptomatic and are characterized by a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild irritative voiding to bacteremia, sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock. They may occur in a normal genitourinary tract with no prior instrumentation (uncomplicated infections) or in genitourinary tracts with structural or functional abnormalities, or in patients with specific risk factors (complicated infections). In the hospital setting bacterial and fungal UTIs are strongly related to the use and misuse of indwelling urinary catheters. Catheter-related UTIs increase morbidity, mortality and costs and constitute an efficient reservoir for multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Therapeutic drug monitoring may improve safety outcomes of long-term treatment with linezolid in adult patients

OBJECTIVES

Prolonged treatment with linezolid may cause toxicity. The purpose of this study was to define pharmacodynamic thresholds for improving safety outcomes of linezolid.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of patients who had trough (C(min)) and peak (C(max)) plasma levels measured during prolonged linezolid treatment. Dosage adjustments were performed when C(min) ≥10 mg/L and/or AUC₂₄ ≥400 mg/L · h. Patients were divided into two subgroups according to the absence or presence of co-treatment with rifampicin (the linezolid group and the linezolid + rifampicin group, respectively). Data on demographic characteristics, disease, microbiology and haematochemical parameters were collected and outcomes in relation to drug exposure were compared between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 45 patients were included. Dosage adjustments were needed in 40% versus 0% of patients in the linezolid group (n = 35) versus the linezolid + rifampicin group (n = 10), respectively. Patients in the linezolid group had either significantly higher C(min) [3.71 mg/L (1.43-6.38) versus 1.37 mg/L (0.67-2.55), P < 0.001] or AUC₂₄ [212.77 mg/L · h (166.67-278.42) versus 123.33 mg/L · h (97.36-187.94), P < 0.001]. Thrombocytopenia appeared in 51.4% versus 0% of cases in the linezolid group versus the linezolid + rifampicin group, respectively. In 33.3% of those patients who were experiencing thrombocytopenia, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)-guided dosage reductions allowed recovery from toxicity and prosecution of therapy with good outcome. A logistic regression model for thrombocytopenia estimated a probability of 50% in the presence of C(min) of 6.53 mg/L and/or of AUC₂₄ of 280.74 mg/L · h.

CONCLUSIONS

Maintenance over time of C(min) between 2 and 7 mg/L and/or of AUC₂₄ between 160 and 300 mg/L · h may be helpful in improving safety outcomes while retaining appropriate efficacy in adult patients receiving prolonged linezolid treatment.

Biopsy for suspected spondylodiscitis

BACKGROUND

Vertebral biopsy is fundamental in determining whether a spinal lesion is of infectious or neoplastic etiology. Accurate diagnosis is critical for proper medical and/or surgical treatment and consequently for the prognosis of the patient. CT-guided percutaneous spinal biopsy (CTSB) may minimize the risk of contamination and complications.

AIM

To demonstrate the importance and efficacy of CTSB and subsequent microbiologic/histological examination in the diagnosis of spinal lesions, particularly for those of an infectious nature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two series of spinal infection patients. Prospective series of 69 patients (2009-2011), 24 of whom underwent CTSB. Retrospective series of 130 patients (1999-2008), 65 of whom underwent CTSB. All patients had microbiologic and histological testing of biopsy samples, when possible.

RESULTS

For the 2009-2011 patient series, histological examination yielded a diagnosis in 81.8% of cases, microbiologic culture and PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 45.8%. For the 1999-2008 series, histological examination yielded a diagnosis in 69% of cases, culture in 38.5%. Spinal lesions in 4 patients with previous histories of malignancy were assumed to be metastatic and treated with radiation at outside institutions. After biopsy, all were revealed to be spondylodiscitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous CT-guided needle biopsy is the mainstay of diagnosis for spine lesions of unknown etiology, thus guiding appropriate treatment. Histological diagnosis, when possible, is critical before initiation of therapy and may be helpful in cases where cultures are negative. In the case of a spinal lesion of unknown origin, even in the setting of a previous malignancy, metastasis should not be assumed; infection and new primary lesions should always be considered as part of the differential diagnosis.

Multicenter, prospective surveillance study of Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization in 28 Italian intensive care units: the ISABEL Study

The role of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization as a predictor of invasive disease in intensive care unit (ICU) patients was established many years ago. The role of mefhicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) colonization is more debated, although in a recent report patients who were carriers of MRSA or MSSA at ICU admission were found to be at increased risk. Whether carriage at ICU admission involves a higher risk of invasive infection than carriage acquired during an ICU stay has not been established. We report the results of a study aimed at estimating the frequency of S. aureus (MRSA and MSSA) colonization at admission and at discharge in patients admitted to several ICUs in Italy and at estimating the relationship between colonization status and infection by S. aureus.

Spinal Infection Multidisciplinary Management Project (SIMP): From Diagnosis to Treatment Guideline

Spine infections require a multidisciplinary approach to be treated and solved. A guide line to drive physicians in the deep complexity of such a disease is extremely helpful. SIMP suggests a flow-chart built up on clear concepts such as right and well managed antibiotic therapy, sound stability of the spine, correct and smart use of the standard and functional imaging techniques, such as f18 FDG PET/CT. In 16 months a total of 41 patients have been treated for spondylodiscitis, discitis and vertebral osteomyelitis by our team of physicians and 25 patients have been enrolled in a prospective study whose target is the assessment of the SIMP flow-chart and of every single aspect that characterize it.

Optical coherence tomography, frequency-doubling technology, and colour Doppler imaging in ocular hypertension

PURPOSE

To study in ocular hypertension (OH) the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the neuronal function with frequency-doubling technology (FDT) to assess which of the two methods was more sensitive in detecting early glaucomatous damage. Furthermore, a colour Doppler imaging (CDI) of the optic nerve was carried out to highlight any correlation with RNFL thickness and FDT abnormality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We enrolled 28 ocular hypertensive patients who underwent OCT of the RNFL and FDT. Moreover, we performed a CDI of the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), and posterior ciliary arteries (PCAs).

RESULTS

The patients with OH following OCT revealed a significant thinning in the RNFL as compared to the control group only in the inferior quadrant: 122.250+/-14.091 vs131.750+/-10.729 mum (P<0.045). As regards FDT, there was a significant difference between the two groups only for pattern standard deviation (PSD): 3.873+/-1.488 vs1.938+/-0.704 dB (P<0.044). In OH and in the control group, CDI resistance index (RI) in the OA was 0.768+/-0.012 vs0.745+/-0.019 (P<0.022), in the CRA was 0.66+/-0.012 vs0.645+/-0.019 (P<0.032), and in PCAs was 0.673+/-0.039 vs0.622+/-0.012 (P<0.037). The OCT had a sensitivity of 83% but only in the inferior RNFL quadrant. The FDT-PSD revealed a sensitivity of 85%.

CONCLUSIONS

Both FDT and OCT detect early glaucomatous damage with a slightly superior sensitivity of FDT vsOCT. The CDI measurements suggest that circulatory abnormalities may have a role in the development of OCT and FDT damage.