Systemic high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in normal-tension glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Immunology
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

• Glaucoma encompasses a group of optic neuropathies characterized by progressive damage to the optic nerve.
• Systemic inflammation, indicated by biomarkers like hsCRP, has been implicated in various vascular and inflammatory conditions.
• The role of systemic inflammation in the pathogenesis of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare systemic high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in patients diagnosed with NTG and POAG.
• To evaluate hsCRP levels in glaucoma patients relative to a control group of healthy individuals.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study was conducted involving 40 patients with NTG, 40 with POAG, and 40 healthy controls.
• Participants with pre-existing cardiovascular or other systemic diseases were excluded to isolate the effects on glaucoma.
• Blood samples were analyzed for hsCRP, general biochemistry, and lipid profiles.

Main Results:

• Demographic characteristics such as age, sex, BMI, heart rate, and blood pressure were comparable across all three groups.
• No statistically significant differences were observed in hsCRP levels or biochemistry results among the NTG, POAG, and control groups.
• A slight elevation in lipid profiles was noted in patients with POAG.

Conclusions:

• Systemic hsCRP levels do not differ between patients with NTG, POAG, and healthy controls when systemic diseases are excluded.
• These findings indicate that systemic vascular inflammation is unlikely to be a primary pathogenic mechanism in glaucoma for individuals without a history of cardiovascular disease.