April 2011
Volume 52, Issue 14
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2011
Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness Is Associated With Higher Risk Of Foot Ulceration In Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Ayda M. Shahidi; Geoff P. Sampson; Nicola Pritchard; Katie Edwards; Dimitrios Vagenas; Anthony W. Russell; Rayaz A. Malik; Nathan Efron
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Ayda M. Shahidi
    IHBI, Vision Domain, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
  • Geoff P. Sampson
    IHBI, Vision Domain, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
  • Nicola Pritchard
    IHBI, Vision Domain, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
  • Katie Edwards
    IHBI, Vision Domain, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
  • Dimitrios Vagenas
    IHBI, Vision Domain, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
  • Anthony W. Russell
    Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
  • Rayaz A. Malik
    Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
  • Nathan Efron
    IHBI, Vision Domain, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  Ayda M. Shahidi, None; Geoff P. Sampson, None; Nicola Pritchard, None; Katie Edwards, None; Dimitrios Vagenas, None; Anthony W. Russell, None; Rayaz A. Malik, None; Nathan Efron, None
  • Footnotes
    Support  George Weaber Foundation Trust, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2011, Vol.52, 3679. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      User Alerts
      You are adding an alert for:
      Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness Is Associated With Higher Risk Of Foot Ulceration In Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
      You will receive an email whenever this article is corrected, updated, or cited in the literature. You can manage this and all other alerts in My Account
      The alert will be sent to:
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation
      Citation

      Ayda M. Shahidi, Geoff P. Sampson, Nicola Pritchard, Katie Edwards, Dimitrios Vagenas, Anthony W. Russell, Rayaz A. Malik, Nathan Efron; Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness Is Associated With Higher Risk Of Foot Ulceration In Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2011;52(14):3679.

      Download citation file:

      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
    • Get Permissions
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose: : To evaluate the association between retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in people with type 2 diabetes, and specifically those at higher risk of foot ulceration.

Methods: : RNFL thicknesses was measured globally and in four quadrants (temporal, superior, nasal and inferior) at 3.45 mm diameter around the optic nerve head using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Severity of neuropathy was assessed using the Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS). Eighty-two participants with type 2 diabetes were stratified according to NDS scores (0-10) as: none, mild, moderate, and severe neuropathy. A control group was additionally included (n=17). Individuals with NDS≥ 6 (moderate and severe neuropathy) have been shown to be at higher risk of foot ulceration. A linear regression model was used to determine the association between RNFL and severity of neuropathy. Age, disease duration and diabetic retinopathy levels were fitted in the models. Independent t-test was employed for comparison between controls and the group without neuropathy, as well as for comparison between groups with higher and lower risk of foot ulceration. Analysis of variance was used to compare across all NDS groups.

Results: : RNFL thickness was significantly associated with NDS in the inferior quadrant (b= -1.46, p=0.03). RNFL thicknesses globally and in superior, temporal and nasal quadrants did not show significant associations with NDS (all p>0.51). These findings were independent of the effect of age, disease duration and retinopathy. RNFL was thinner for the group with NDS ≥ 6 in all quadrants but was significant only inferiorly (p<0.005). RNFL for control participants was not significantly different from the group with diabetes and no neuropathy (superior p=0.07, global and all other quadrants: p>0.23). Mean RNFL thickness was not significantly different between the four NDS groups globally and in all quadrants (p=0.08 for inferior, P>0.14 for all other comparisons).

Conclusions: : Retinal nerve fibre layer thinning is associated with neuropathy in people with type 2 diabetes. This relationship is strongest in the inferior retina and in individuals at higher risk of foot ulceration.

Keywords: diabetes • nerve fiber layer • imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) 
© 2011, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×
This site uses cookies. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our privacy policy.Accept