ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL RETINAL LAYER THICKNESSES AND DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY USING RETINAL LAYER
Jin Hyung Kim1, Min Woo Lee2, Suk Ho Byeon2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Vision Research, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|September 14, 2017
Summary
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is linked to thinner retinal nerve fiber and inner nuclear layers in the fovea. These retinal layer thickness changes can help predict DPN risk in diabetic patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Diabetology
Background:
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus.
- Retinal layer thickness may serve as a biomarker for DPN.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between foveal retinal layer thickness and DPN in diabetic patients.
- To identify specific retinal layers associated with DPN presence.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 120 patients (42 controls, 42 diabetes without DPN, 36 diabetes with DPN).
- Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography used to measure foveal retinal layer thicknesses.
- Logistic regression analysis to determine associations between layer thickness and DPN.
Main Results:
- Patients with DPN showed significantly reduced retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and RNFL/total retina ratios compared to controls and diabetes without DPN.
- Decreased retinal nerve fiber layer and inner nuclear layer thicknesses were significant predictors of higher DPN risk (OR=7.407, P<0.001 and OR=1.757, P=0.001).
Conclusions:
- Reduced retinal nerve fiber layer and inner nuclear layer thickness are significantly associated with the presence of DPN.
- These findings suggest potential for retinal imaging in DPN assessment.
