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Pan J, Liu S, Farkas M, Consugar M, Zack DJ, Kozak I, Arevalo FJ, Pierce E, Qian J, Al Kahtani E.
Serum molecular signature for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes. Mol Vis 2016;22:636-45.
AbstractPURPOSE: The risk of vision loss from proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) can be reduced with timely detection and treatment. We aimed to identify serum molecular signatures that might help in the early detection of PDR in patients with diabetes. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with diabetes were recruited at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 20 with extensive PDR and 20 with mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). The two groups were matched in age, gender, and known duration of diabetes. We examined the whole genome transcriptome of blood samples from the patients using RNA sequencing. We built a model using a support vector machine (SVM) approach to identify gene combinations that can classify the two groups. RESULTS: Differentially expressed genes were calculated from a total of 25,500 genes. Six genes (CCDC144NL, DYX1C1, KCNH3, LOC100506476, LOC285847, and ZNF80) were selected from the top 26 differentially expressed genes, and a combinatorial molecular signature was built based on the expression of the six genes. The mean area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.978 in the cross validation. The corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 91.7% and 91.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary study defined a combinatorial molecular signature that may be useful as a potential biomarker for early detection of proliferative diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes. A larger-scale study with an independent cohort of samples is necessary to validate and expand these findings.
Papavasileiou E, Davoudi S, Roohipoor R, Cho H, Kudrimoti S, Hancock H, Wilson JG, Andreoli C, Husain D, James M, Penman A, Chen CJ, Sobrin L.
Association of serum lipid levels with retinal hard exudate area in African Americans with type 2 diabetes. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2017;255(3):509-517.
AbstractPURPOSE: Previous studies have yielded conflicting results regarding whether serum lipid levels are associated with retinal hard exudates in diabetic retinopathy. The majority of studies have assessed hard exudates only as a dichotomous trait (presence vs. absence) and included limited numbers of African Americans (AA). The purpose of this study was to determine if there are any associations between serum lipid levels and hard exudates in AA with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
METHODS: 890 AA participants with T2D were enrolled from 5 sites. Macular fundus photographs were graded by masked ophthalmologist investigators. Hard exudate areas were measured using a semi-automated algorithm and ImageJ software. Multivariate regression models were used to determine the association between serum lipid levels and (1) presence of hard exudate and (2) area of hard exudate.
RESULTS: Presence of hard exudates was associated with higher total cholesterol [(odds ratio (OR) = 1.08, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.13, P = 0.001)] and higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (OR = 1.08, 95 % CI 1.03-1.14, P = 0.005) in models controlling for other risk factors. Hard exudate area was also associated with both higher total and LDL cholesterol levels (P = 0.04 and 0.01, respectively) in multivariate models controlling for other risk factors.
CONCLUSIONS: Higher total and LDL cholesterol were associated with the presence of hard exudates and a greater hard exudate area in AA with T2D. This information can be used to counsel diabetic patients regarding the importance of lipid control to decrease the risk of macular hard exudates.
Patel NA, Yannuzzi NA, Lin J, Smiddy WE.
A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Intravitreal Aflibercept for the Prevention of Progressive Diabetic Retinopathy. Ophthalmol Retina 2022;6(3):213-218.
AbstractPURPOSE: To calculate costs required to prevent center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME) or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and to improve the diabetic retinopathy severity score (DRSS) with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, as reported for aflibercept in 2 randomized control trials. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness analysis modeling based on published data. SUBJECTS: None. METHODS: Results from PANORAMA and the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network Protocol W were analyzed. Parameters collected included DRSS, risk reduction of PDR, risk reduction of CI-DME, and the number of treatments required. Costs were modeled based on 2020 Medicare reimbursement data practice settings of hospital-based facility and nonfacility. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cost to prevent cases of PDR and CI-DME and to improve DRSS stage. RESULTS: Over 2 years in Protocol W, the cost required to prevent 1 case of PDR was $83 000 ($72 400) in the facility (nonfacility) setting; in PANORAMA, the corresponding 2-year costs were $89 400 ($75 000) for the 2-mg aflibercept every 16 weeks (2Q16) arm, and $91 200 ($89 900) for the 2-mg aflibercept every 8 weeks as needed (2Q8PRN) arm. To prevent 1 case of CI-DME with vision loss in Protocol W, the cost was $154 000 ($133 000). For all CI-DME, with and without vision loss, in PANORAMA, the costs to prevent a case were $70 900 ($59 500) for the 2Q16 arm and $90 000 ($88 800) for the 2Q8PRN arm. In Protocol W, the overall accumulated total for cost/DRSS unit change at the 2-year point for facility (nonfacility) setting was $2700 ($2400)/DRSS. In the first year alone, it was $2100 ($1800)/DRSS and in the second year, it was $6100 ($5300)/DRSS. CONCLUSIONS: There is a considerable cost associated with the prevention of PDR and CI-DME with intravitreal aflibercept injections. A price per unit of change in DRSS is a new parameter that might serve as a benchmark in future utility analyses that could be used to bring the perspective to cost-utility considerations.
Patel NA, Al-Khersan H, Yannuzzi NA, Lin J, Smiddy WE.
Aflibercept Monotherapy versus Bevacizumab-First for Diabetic Macular Edema: A Cost Analysis Based on Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network Protocol AC Results. Ophthalmol Retina 2023;7(5):413-419.
AbstractPURPOSE: To calculate the costs of treatment for diabetic macular edema with bevacizumab-first (step therapy) compared with aflibercept monotherapy. DESIGN: Cost analysis of the treatment arms based on a published study. SUBJECTS: None. METHODS: Published results from the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network protocol AC were used to assess costs. Data incorporated in the usage and outcome model included the frequency of injections, medication type, visits, and imaging. Costs were modeled based on the 2022 Medicare reimbursement data for both facility (hospital-based) and nonfacility settings in Miami. Outcomes were similar in protocol AC so were not differentially studied. Results were extrapolated so as to estimate lifetime (17 years for the age of the cohort). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cost of treatment options. RESULTS: Over the 2 years reported in the protocol AC, the cost required to treat in the facility (nonfacility setting) was $42 000 ($32 000) in the aflibercept monotherapy group and $29 000 ($22 000) in the bevacizumab-first group. Extrapolated modeled lifetime costs were $158 000 ($136 000) and $125 000 ($103 000), respectively. The total cost with bevacizumab-first was 33% lower at year 2 and 21% lower at year 17 compared with aflibercept monotherapy. Savings per year for the 2 years results were $6500 ($5000) in the facility (nonfacility) setting. For the extrapolated 17 years model, annual savings were $1900 ($1900) in the facility (nonfacility) setting. The professional fees accounted for a minority of overall costs; in contrast, medication costs accounted for 82% of the total costs for the aflibercept monotherapy and 73% in the bevacizumab-first group at 2 years. Our model predicted an additional 15% lifetime cumulative savings if patients still not meeting the threshold criteria after switching to aflibercept were placed back on bevacizumab, and a similar degree of improvement if those on not meeting threshold criteria on aflibercept monotherapy were switched to bevacizumab. CONCLUSIONS: Medication is the dominant driver of the total expenses associated with the treatment of diabetic macular edema. Although cost savings are realized with bevacizumab-first step therapy, the magnitude was not as much as might be intuited, probably because of the high (70%) incidence of patients switching to aflibercept within protocol AC. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
Pearsall EA, Cheng R, Matsuzaki S, Zhou K, Ding L, Ahn B, Kinter M, Humphries KM, Quiambao AB, Farjo RA, Ma J-X.
Neuroprotective effects of PPARα in retinopathy of type 1 diabetes. PLoS One 2019;14(2):e0208399.
AbstractDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common neurovascular complication of type 1 diabetes. Current therapeutics target neovascularization characteristic of end-stage disease, but are associated with significant adverse effects. Targeting early events of DR such as neurodegeneration may lead to safer and more effective approaches to treatment. Two independent prospective clinical trials unexpectedly identified that the PPARα agonist fenofibrate had unprecedented therapeutic effects in DR, but gave little insight into the physiological and molecular mechanisms of action. The objective of the present study was to evaluate potential neuroprotective effects of PPARα in DR, and subsequently to identify the responsible mechanism of action. Here we reveal that activation of PPARα had a robust protective effect on retinal function as shown by Optokinetic tracking in a rat model of type 1 diabetes, and also decreased retinal cell death, as demonstrated by a DNA fragmentation ELISA. Further, PPARα ablation exacerbated diabetes-induced decline of visual function as demonstrated by ERG analysis. We further found that PPARα improved mitochondrial efficiency in DR, and decreased ROS production and cell death in cultured retinal neurons. Oxidative stress biomarkers were elevated in diabetic Pparα-/- mice, suggesting increased oxidative stress. Mitochondrially mediated apoptosis and oxidative stress secondary to mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to neurodegeneration in DR. Taken together, these findings identify a robust neuroprotective effect for PPARα in DR, which may be due to improved mitochondrial function and subsequent alleviation of energetic deficits, oxidative stress and mitochondrially mediated apoptosis.
Pemp B, Deák G, Prager S, Mitsch C, Lammer J, Schmidinger G, Scholda C, Schmidt-Erfurth U, Bolz M, Bolz M.
Distribution of intraretinal exudates in diabetic macular edema during anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy observed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography and fundus photography. Retina 2014;34(12):2407-15.
AbstractPURPOSE: To evaluate changes in the distribution and morphology of intraretinal microexudates and hard exudates (HEs) during intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with persistent diabetic macular edema after photocoagulation were investigated in this prospective cohort study. Each eye was assigned to a loading dose of three anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatments at monthly intervals. Additional single treatments were performed if diabetic macular edema persisted or recurred. Intraretinal exudates were analyzed over 6 months using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and fundus photography. RESULTS: Before treatment, microexudates were detected by SD-OCT as hyperreflective foci in 24 eyes, whereas HEs were seen in 22 eyes. During therapy, HE increased significantly in number and size. This was accompanied by accumulation of microexudates in the outer retina. Enlargement of hyperreflective structures in SD-OCT was accompanied by enlargement of HE at corresponding fundus locations. A rapid reduction in diabetic macular edema was seen in all patients, but to varying degrees. Patients with hemoglobin A1c levels <7% and serum cholesterol <200 mg/dL formed fewer HEs and featured more edema reduction and visual acuity gain. CONCLUSION: Diabetic macular edema reduction during intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy was accompanied by dynamic rearrangement of intraretinal exudates at corresponding locations in fundus photography and SD-OCT. Intraretinal aggregates of microexudates detectable as hyperreflective foci by SD-OCT may compose and precede HE before they become clinically visible.
Penman A, Hancock H, Papavasileiou E, James M, Idowu O, Riche DM, Fernandez M, Brauner S, Smith SO, Hoadley S, Richardson C, Vazquez V, Chi C, Andreoli C, Husain D, Chen CJ, Sobrin L.
Risk Factors for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy in African Americans with Type 2 Diabetes. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2016;23(2):88-93.
AbstractPURPOSE: To assess personal and demographic risk factors for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in African Americans with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: In this prospective, non-interventional, cross-sectional case-control study, 380 African Americans with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. Participants were recruited prospectively and had to have either: (1) absence of diabetic retinopathy after ≥10 years of type 2 diabetes, or (2) presence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy when enrolled. Dilated, 7-field fundus photographs were graded using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study scale. Covariates including hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference were collected prospectively. Multivariate regression models adjusted for age, sex and site were constructed to assess associations between risk factors and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: Proliferative diabetic retinopathy was associated with longer duration of diabetes (odds ratio, OR, 1.62, p < 0.001), higher systolic blood pressure (OR 1.65, p < 0.001) and insulin use (OR 6.65, p < 0.001) in the multivariate regression analysis. HbA1C was associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy in the univariate analysis (OR 1.31, p = 0.002) but was no longer significant in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In this case-control study of African Americans with type 2 diabetes, duration of diabetes, systolic hypertension and insulin use were strong risk factors for the development of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Interestingly, HbA1C did not confer additional risk in this cohort.
Penman A, Hoadley S, Wilson JG, Taylor HA, Chen CJ, Sobrin L.
P-selectin Plasma Levels and Genetic Variant Associated With Diabetic Retinopathy in African Americans. Am J Ophthalmol 2015;159(6):1152-1160.e2.
AbstractPURPOSE: To report the prevalence and risk factors for retinopathy in African Americans with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and type 2 diabetes in the Jackson Heart Study and to determine if P-selectin plasma levels are independently associated with retinopathy in this population. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional observational study. METHODS: setting: Community-based epidemiologic study. STUDY POPULATION: Total of 629 patients with type 2 diabetes and 266 participants with impaired fasting glucose. OBSERVATION PROCEDURES: Bilateral, 7-field fundus photographs were scored by masked readers for diabetic retinopathy (DR) level. Covariate data including P-selectin plasma levels and genotypes were collected in a standardized fashion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Association between risk factors, including P-selectin plasma levels and genotypes, and retinopathy. RESULTS: The prevalences of any retinopathy among participants with IFG and type 2 diabetes were 9.4% and 32.4%, respectively. Among those with type 2 diabetes, in multivariate models adjusted for age, sex, and other traditional risk factors, higher P-selectin levels were associated with any DR (odds ratio = 1.11, 95% confidence interval = 1.02-1.21, P = .02) and proliferative DR (odds ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence interval = 1.03-1.46, P = .02). To further investigate the relationship between P-selectin and DR, we examined the association between P-selectin genotype and DR. Minor allele homozygotes for the variant rs6128 were less likely to develop DR (P after Bonferroni correction = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Both serologic and genetic data show an association between P-selectin and DR in the Jackson Heart Study. If confirmed in other studies, this association may provide insight into the pathogenesis of retinopathy.
Peterson SR, Silva PA, Murtha TJ, Sun JK.
Cataract Surgery in Patients with Diabetes: Management Strategies. Semin Ophthalmol 2017;:1-8.
AbstractDiabetes is a chronic systemic disease that affects nearly one in eight adults worldwide. Ocular complications, such as cataract, can lead to significant visual impairment. Among the worldwide population, cataract is the leading cause of blindness, and patients with diabetes have an increased incidence of cataracts which mature earlier compared to the rest of the population. Cataract surgery is a common and safe procedure, but can be associated with vision-threatening complications in the diabetic population, such as diabetic macular edema, postoperative macular edema, diabetic retinopathy progression, and posterior capsular opacification. This article is a brief review of diabetic cataract and complications associated with cataract extraction in this population of patients.
Pollack S, Igo RP, Jensen RA, Christiansen M, Li X, Cheng C-Y, Ng MCY, Smith AV, Rossin EJ, Segrè AV, Davoudi S, Tan GS, Chen Y-DI, Kuo JZ, Dimitrov LM, Stanwyck LK, Meng W, Hosseini MS, Imamura M, Nousome D, Kim J, Hai Y, Jia Y, Ahn J, Leong A, Shah K, Park KH, Guo X, Ipp E, Taylor KD, Adler SG, Sedor JR, Freedman BI, Family Investigation of Nephropathy and Diabetes-Eye Research Group DCCT/EDICRG, Lee I-T, Sheu WH-H, Kubo M, Takahashi A, Hadjadj S, Marre M, Tregouet D-A, McKean-Cowdin R, Varma R, McCarthy MI, Groop L, Ahlqvist E, Lyssenko V, Agardh E, Morris A, Doney ASF, Colhoun HM, Toppila I, Sandholm N, Groop P-H, Maeda S, Hanis CL, Penman A, Chen CJ, Hancock H, Mitchell P, Craig JE, Chew EY, Paterson AD, Grassi MA, Palmer C, Bowden DW, Yaspan BL, Siscovick D, Cotch MF, Wang JJ, Burdon KP, Wong TY, Klein BEK, Klein R, Rotter JI, Iyengar SK, Price AL, Sobrin L.
Multiethnic Genome-Wide Association Study of Diabetic Retinopathy Using Liability Threshold Modeling of Duration of Diabetes and Glycemic Control. Diabetes 2019;68(2):441-456.
AbstractTo identify genetic variants associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR), we performed a large multiethnic genome-wide association study. Discovery included eight European cohorts ( = 3,246) and seven African American cohorts ( = 2,611). We meta-analyzed across cohorts using inverse-variance weighting, with and without liability threshold modeling of glycemic control and duration of diabetes. Variants with a value <1 × 10 were investigated in replication cohorts that included 18,545 European, 16,453 Asian, and 2,710 Hispanic subjects. After correction for multiple testing, the C allele of rs142293996 in an intron of nuclear VCP-like () was associated with DR in European discovery cohorts ( = 2.1 × 10), but did not reach genome-wide significance after meta-analysis with replication cohorts. We applied the Disease Association Protein-Protein Link Evaluator (DAPPLE) to our discovery results to test for evidence of risk being spread across underlying molecular pathways. One protein-protein interaction network built from genes in regions associated with proliferative DR was found to have significant connectivity ( = 0.0009) and corroborated with gene set enrichment analyses. These findings suggest that genetic variation in as well as variation within a protein-protein interaction network that includes genes implicated in inflammation, may influence risk for DR.
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Rageh A, Ashraf M, Fleming A, Silva PS.
Automated Microaneurysm Counts on Ultrawide Field Color and Fluorescein Angiography Images. Semin Ophthalmol 2021;36(4):315-321.
AbstractBACKGROUND: The severity and extent of microaneurysms (MAs) have been used to determine diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity and estimate the risk of DR progression over time. The recent introduction of ultrawide field (UWF) imaging has allowed ophthalmologists to readily image nearly the entire retina. Manual counting of MAs, especially on UWF images, is laborious and time-consuming, limiting its potential use in clinical settings. Automated MA counting techniques are potentially more accurate and reproducible compared to manual methods. METHOD: Review of available literature on current techniques of automated MA counting techniques on both ultrawide field (UWF) color images (CI) and fluorescein angiography (FA) images. RESULTS: Automated MA counting techniques on UWF images are still in the early phases of development with UWF-FA counts being further along. Early studies have demonstrated that these techniques are accurate and reproducible. CONCLUSION: Automated techniques may be an appropriate option for detecting and quantifying MAs on UWF images, especially in eyes with earlier DR severity. Larger studies are needed to appropriately validate these techniques and determine if they add substantially to clinical practice compared to standard DR grading.
Rami HE, Barham R, Sun JK, Silva PS.
Evidence-Based Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy. Semin Ophthalmol 2017;32(1):67-74.
AbstractDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most frequent microvascular complication from diabetes and requires annual screening and at least annual follow-up. A systemic approach to optimize blood glucose and blood pressure may halt progression to severe stages of DR and obviate the need for ocular treatment. Although there is evidence of benefit from fenofibrate or intravitreous antiVEGF treatment for eyes with nonproliferative DR (NPDR), these therapies are not standard care for NPDR at this time. Some patients with severe NPDR, especially those with type 2 diabetes, benefit from early panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). Once DR progresses to proliferative DR (PDR), treatment is often necessary to prevent visual loss. PRP remains mainstay treatment for PDR with high-risk characteristics. However, intravitreous antiVEGF injections appear to be a safe and effective treatment alternative for PDR through at least two years. Vitreoretinal surgery is indicated for PDR cases with non-clearing vitreous hemorrhage and/or tractional retinal detachment.
Rauscher FG, Elze T, Francke M, Martinez-Perez EM, Li Y, Wirkner K, Tönjes A, Engel C, Thiery J, Blüher M, Stumvoll M, Kirsten T, Loeffler M, Ebert T, Wang M.
Glucose tolerance and insulin resistance/sensitivity associate with retinal layer characteristics: the LIFE-Adult-Study. Diabetologia 2024;67(5):928-939.
AbstractAIMS/HYPOTHESIS: As the prevalence of insulin resistance and glucose intolerance is increasing throughout the world, diabetes-induced eye diseases are a global health burden. We aim to identify distinct optical bands which are closely related to insulin and glucose metabolism, using non-invasive, high-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a large, population-based dataset. METHODS: The LIFE-Adult-Study randomly selected 10,000 participants from the population registry of Leipzig, Germany. Cross-sectional, standardised phenotyping included the assessment of various metabolic risk markers and ocular imaging, such as SD-OCT-derived thicknesses of ten optical bands of the retina. Global and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) subfield-specific optical retinal layer thicknesses were investigated in 7384 healthy eyes of 7384 participants from the LIFE-Adult-Study stratified by normal glucose tolerance, prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance and/or HbA1c 5.7-6.4% [39-47 mmol/mol]) and diabetes. The association of optical retinal band characteristics with different indices of glucose tolerance (e.g. fasting glucose, area under the glucose curve), insulin resistance (e.g. HOMA2-IR, triglyceride glucose index), or insulin sensitivity (e.g. estimated glucose disposal rate [eGDR], Stumvoll metabolic clearance rate) was determined using multivariable linear regression analyses for the individual markers adjusted for age, sex and refraction. Various sensitivity analyses were performed to validate the observed findings. RESULTS: In the study cohort, nine out of ten optical bands of the retina showed significant sex- and glucose tolerance-dependent differences in band thicknesses. Multivariable linear regression analyses revealed a significant, independent, and inverse association between markers of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance (e.g. HOMA2-IR) with the thickness of the optical bands representing the anatomical retinal outer nuclear layer (ONL, standardised β=-0.096; p<0.001 for HOMA2-IR) and myoid zone (MZ; β=-0.096; p<0.001 for HOMA2-IR) of the photoreceptors. Conversely, markers of insulin sensitivity (e.g. eGDR) positively and independently associated with ONL (β=0.090; p<0.001 for eGDR) and MZ (β=0.133; p<0.001 for eGDR) band thicknesses. These global associations were confirmed in ETDRS subfield-specific analyses. Sensitivity analyses further validated our findings when physical activity, neuroanatomical cell/tissue types and ETDRS subfield categories were investigated after stratifying the cohort by glucose homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: An impaired glucose homeostasis associates with a thinning of the optical bands of retinal ONL and photoreceptor MZ. Changes in ONL and MZ thicknesses might predict early metabolic retinal alterations in diabetes.
Rodríguez-Valdés PJ, Rehak M, Zur D, Sala-Puigdollers A, Fraser-Bell S, Lupidi M, Chhablani J, Cebeci Z, Laíns I, Chaikitmongkol V, Fung AT, Okada M, Unterlauft JD, Smadar L, Loewenstein A, Iglicki M, Busch C.
GRAding of functional and anatomical response to DExamethasone implant in patients with Diabetic Macular Edema: GRADE-DME Study. Sci Rep 2021;11(1):4738.
AbstractTo analyze functional and anatomical response patterns to dexamethasone (DEX) implant in diabetic macular edema (DME), to describe proportion of responders and non-responders, and to propose a new DME grading system. Retrospective, multicenter, observational cohort study. Naïve and non-naïve DME patients were treated with DEX, with visual acuity (VA) ≥ 0.2 logMAR and central subfield thickness (CST) of ≥ 300 µm. Functional and anatomical responses were graded after 2 and 4 months, and categorized as early and stable improvement, early and progressive improvement, pendular response, delayed improvement, and persistent non-response. 417 eyes were included (175 treatment naïve eyes). Compared to non-naïve eyes, naïve eyes showed a very good functional response (VA gain ≥ 10 letters) more frequently after 2 and 4 months (56% and 57% [naïve] vs. 33% and 28% [non-naïve], p < 0.001). A VA gain < 5 letters (non-response) after 2 and 4 months was seen in 18% and 16% of naïve eyes, and in 49% and 53% of non-naïve eyes (p < 0.001). A lack of anatomical response was rare in both groups, but more frequently in non-naïve eyes (12% vs. 4%, p = 0.003). Functionally and anatomically, naïve eyes showed most frequently an early and stable improvement (functionally: 77/175 44%; anatomically: 123/175 eyes, 70%). Most non-naïve eyes experienced no significant improvement functionally (97/242 eyes, 40%), despite a mostly early and stable improvement anatomical response pattern (102/242 eyes, 42%). Functional but not anatomical response patterns were influenced by baseline VA. Naïve and non-naïve eyes show different functional and anatomical response patterns to DEX implant. Functional non-responders are rare in naïve eyes, whereas anatomical non-response is unusual in both groups.
Roh M, Tesfaye H, Kim SC, Zabotka LE, Patorno E.
Cardiovascular and Mortality Risk with Intravitreal Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy. Ophthalmol Retina 2022;6(12):1145-1153.
AbstractOBJECTIVE: To investigate the cardiovascular (CV) safety associated with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (IAVIs) in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). DESIGN: Population-based cohort study using Medicare and 2 commercial insurance claims databases in the United States from January 2009 to December 2017. SUBJECTS: Patients with DR aged ≥ 18 years in whom treatment with either IVAIs or laser procedure or intravitreal steroid injections was initiated. METHODS: We estimated the propensity score (PS) using multivariable logistic regression models, including 85 baseline covariates and PS-matched patients in a 1:1 ratio. We estimated the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses based on prior history of CV events were also conducted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A composite CV outcome of myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke, its individual components, and all-cause mortality in 180 and 365 days after treatment initiation. RESULTS: We identified 61 508 PS-matched patients in a 1:1 ratio in whom either IVAIs or laser or steroid treatment was initiated. Compared with laser or steroid treatment, IAVIs were not associated with an increased risk of the composite CV outcome (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.83-1.09), MI (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.76-1.13), or stroke (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.80-1.19) or the risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.97-1.62) at 180 days of follow-up. At 365 days, the risk of the composite CV outcome, stroke, and MI remained similar between the 2 groups, although the risk of all-cause mortality was increased with IAVIs (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.14-1.60). The subgroup analysis showed that the risk of all-cause mortality was increased in patients with a prior history of CV events. CONCLUSIONS: Among > 60 000 patients with DR, those who received IAVIs had a risk of CV events similar to those who received laser or steroid treatment. However, the risk of all-cause mortality was higher in patients who received IAVIs for DR.
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Sadda SR, Nittala MG, Taweebanjongsin W, Verma A, Velaga SB, Alagorie AR, Sears CM, Silva PS, Aiello LP.
Quantitative Assessment of the Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy. Am J Ophthalmol 2020;218:342-352.
AbstractPURPOSE: To determine whether a quantitative approach to assessment of the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) lesions on ultrawide field (UWF) images can provide new parameters to predict progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: One hundred forty six eyes from 73 participants with DR and 4 years of follow-up data were included in this post hoc analysis, which was based on a cohort of 100 diabetic patients enrolled in a previously published prospective, comparative study of UWF imaging at the Joslin Diabetes Center. Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Score level was determined at baseline and 4-year follow-up visits using mydriatic 7-standard field Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) photographs. All individual DR lesions (hemorrhage [H], microaneurysm [ma], cotton wool spot [CWS], intraretinal microvascular abnormality [IRMA]) were manually segmented on stereographic projected UWF. For each lesion type, the frequency/number, surface area, and distances from the optic nerve head (ONH) were computed. These quantitative parameters were compared between eyes that progressed to PDR in 4 years and eyes that did not progress. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify parameters that were associated with an increased risk for progression to PDR. RESULTS: A total of 146 eyes of 73 subjects were included in the final analysis. The mean age of the study cohort was 53.1 years, and 42 (56.8%) subjects were female. The number and surface area of H/ma's and CWSs were significantly (P ≤ .05) higher in eyes that progressed to PDR compared with eyes that did not progress by 4 years. Similarly, H/ma's and CWSs were located further away from the ONH (ie, more peripheral) in eyes that progressed (P < .05). DR lesion parameters that conferred a statistically significant increased risk for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in the multivariate model included hemorrhage area (odds ratio [OR], 2.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-5.53), and greater distance of hemorrhages from the ONH (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.97-1.59). CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative analysis of DR lesions on UWF images identifies new risk parameters for progression to PDR including the surface area of hemorrhages and the distance of hemorrhages from the ONH. Although these risk factors will need to be confirmed in larger, prospective studies, they highlight the potential for quantitative lesion analysis to inform the design of a more precise and complete staging system for diabetic retinopathy severity in the future. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.
Salongcay RP, Jacoba CMP, Salva CMG, Rageh A, Aquino LAC, Saunar AV, Alog GP, Ashraf M, Peto T, Silva PS.
One-field, two-field and five-field handheld retinal imaging compared with standard seven-field Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study photography for diabetic retinopathy screening. Br J Ophthalmol 2023;
AbstractBACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine agreement of one-field (1F, macula-centred), two-field (2F, disc-macula) and five-field (5F, macula, disc, superior, inferior and nasal) mydriatic handheld retinal imaging protocols for the assessment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) as compared with standard seven-field Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) photography. METHODS: Prospective, comparative instrument validation study. Mydriatic retinal images were taken using three handheld retinal cameras: Aurora (AU; 50° field of view (FOV), 5F), Smartscope (SS; 40° FOV, 5F), and RetinaVue (RV; 60° FOV, 2F) followed by ETDRS photography. Images were evaluated at a centralised reading centre using the international DR classification. Each field protocol (1F, 2F and 5F) was graded independently by masked graders. Weighted kappa (Kw) statistics assessed agreement for DR. Sensitivity (SN) and specificity (SP) for referable diabetic retinopathy (refDR; moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or worse, or ungradable images) were calculated. RESULTS: Images from 225 eyes of 116 patients with diabetes were evaluated. Severity by ETDRS photography: no DR, 33.3%; mild NPDR, 20.4%; moderate, 14.2%; severe, 11.6%; proliferative, 20.4%. Ungradable rate for DR: ETDRS, 0%; AU: 1F 2.23%, 2F 1.79%, 5F 0%; SS: 1F 7.6%, 2F 4.0%, 5F 3.6%; RV: 1F 6.7%, 2F 5.8%. Agreement rates of DR grading between handheld retinal imaging and ETDRS photography were (Kw, SN/SP refDR) AU: 1F 0.54, 0.72/0.92; 2F 0.59, 0.74/0.92; 5F 0.75, 0.86/0.97; SS: 1F 0.51, 0.72/0.92; 2F 0.60, 0.75/0.92; 5F 0.73, 0.88/0.92; RV: 1F 0.77, 0.91/0.95; 2F 0.75, 0.87/0.95. CONCLUSION: When using handheld devices, the addition of peripheral fields decreased the ungradable rate and increased SN and SP for refDR. These data suggest the benefit of additional peripheral fields in DR screening programmes that use handheld retinal imaging.
Salongcay RP, Silva PS.
The Role of Teleophthalmology in the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2018;
AbstractThe emergence of diabetes as a global epidemic is accompanied by the rise in diabetes‑related retinal complications. Diabetic retinopathy, if left undetected and untreated, can lead to severe visual impairment and affect an individual's productivity and quality of life. Globally, diabetic retinopathy remains one of the leading causes of visual loss in the working‑age population. Teleophthalmology for diabetic retinopathy is an innovative means of retinal evaluation that allows identification of eyes at risk for visual loss, thereby preserving vision and decreasing the overall burden to the health care system. Numerous studies worldwide have found teleophthalmology to be a reliable and cost‑efficient alternative to traditional clinical examinations. It has reduced barriers to access to specialized eye care in both rural and urban communities. In teleophthalmology applications for diabetic retinopathy, it is critical that standardized protocols in image acquisition and evaluation are used to ensure low image ungradable rates and maintain the quality of images taken. Innovative imaging technology such as ultrawide field imaging has the potential to provide significant benefit with integration into teleophthalmology programs. Teleophthalmology programs for diabetic retinopathy rely on a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach with partnerships across specialties and health care professionals to attain wider acceptability and allow evidence‑based eye care to reach a much broader population.
Salongcay RP, Aquino LAC, Salva CMG, Saunar AV, Alog GP, Sun JK, Peto T, Silva PS.
Comparison of Handheld Retinal Imaging with ETDRS 7-Standard Field Photography for Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema. Ophthalmol Retina 2022;6(7):548-556.
AbstractPURPOSE: To compare nonmydriatic (NM) and mydriatic (MD) handheld retinal imaging with standard ETDRS 7-field color fundus photography (ETDRS photographs) for the assessment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). DESIGN: Prospective, comparative, instrument validation study. SUBJECTS: A total of 225 eyes from 116 patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Following a standardized protocol, NM and MD images were acquired using handheld retinal cameras (NM images: Aurora, Smartscope, and RetinaVue-700; MD images: Aurora, Smartscope, RetinaVue-700, and iNview) and dilated ETDRS photographs. Grading was performed at a centralized reading center using the International Clinical Classification for DR and DME. Kappa statistics (simple [K], weighted [Kw]) assessed the level of agreement for DR and DME. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for any DR, referable DR (refDR), and vision-threatening DR (vtDR). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Agreement for DR and DME; sensitivity and specificity for any DR, refDR, and vtDR; ungradable rates. RESULTS: Severity by ETDRS photographs: no DR, 33.3%; mild nonproliferative DR, 20.4%; moderate DR, 14.2%; severe DR, 11.6%; proliferative DR, 20.4%; no DME, 68.0%; DME, 9.3%; non-center involving clinically significant DME, 4.9%; center-involving clinically significant DME, 12.4%; and ungradable, 5.3%. For NM handheld retinal imaging, Kw was 0.70 to 0.73 for DR and 0.76 to 0.83 for DME. For MD handheld retinal imaging, Kw was 0.68 to 0.75 for DR and 0.77 to 0.91 for DME. Thresholds for sensitivity (0.80) and specificity (0.95) were met by NM images acquired using Smartscope and MD images acquired using Aurora and RetinaVue-700 cameras for any DR and by MD images acquired using Aurora and RetinaVue-700 cameras for refDR. Thresholds for sensitivity and specificity were met by MD images acquired using Aurora and RetinaVue-700 for DME. Nonmydriatic and MD ungradable rates for DR were 15.1% to 38.3% and 0% to 33.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Following standardized protocols, NM and MD handheld retinal imaging devices have substantial agreement levels for DR and DME. With mydriasis, not all handheld retinal imaging devices meet standards for sensitivity and specificity in identifying any DR and refDR. None of the handheld devices met the established 95% specificity for vtDR, suggesting that lower referral thresholds should be used if handheld devices must be utilized. When using handheld devices, the ungradable rate is significantly reduced with mydriasis and DME sensitivity thresholds are only achieved following dilation.
Santiago JG, Walia S, Sun JK, Cavallerano JD, Haddad ZA, Aiello LP, Silva PS.
Influence of diabetes and diabetes type on anatomic and visual outcomes following central rein vein occlusion. Eye (Lond) 2014;28(3):259-68.
AbstractPURPOSE: To determine the influence of diabetes and diabetes type on ocular outcomes following central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all patients evaluated over a 4-year period in a tertiary diabetes eye care center. Ophthalmic findings were recorded including visual acuity and the presence of retinal neovascularization at presentation, after 3-6 months, and at last follow-up. RESULTS: The records of 19,648 patients (13,571 diabetic; 6077 nondiabetic) were reviewed. The prevalence of CRVO in diabetic patients (N=72) and nondiabetic patients (N=27) were 0.5 and 0.4%, respectively. Disc neovascularization (21.3 vs 0.0%, P=0.05) and panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) (48.7 vs 21.4%, P=0.01) were more common in diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic patients. Compared with type 2 diabetic patients, retinal neovascularization (28.6 vs 3.7%, P=0.004) and subsequent PRP (78.6 vs 41.9%, P=0.01) were more likely in type 1 patients. Optic nerve head collateral vessels (CVs) were observed less than half as often (21.4 vs 56.5%, P=0.04) in patients with type 1 diabetes. Presence of optic nerve head CVs at baseline was associated with less likelihood of PRP (14.3 vs 46.1%, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, the rates of CRVO in diabetic and nondiabetic patients were similar to previously published population-based studies. Following CRVO, diabetic patients had higher rates of disc neovascularization and were more likely to require subsequent PRP than nondiabetic patients. As compared with CRVO patients with type 2 diabetes, patients with type 1 diabetes and CRVO had worse anatomic outcomes with substantially increased risks of retinal neovascularization and PRP; however, final visual acuity outcomes were similar.
