Abstract
Purpose :
Some studies have reported alterations in macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness in patients with Behçet’s uveitis, portraying this parameter as a potential indicator for disease activity. However, the relationship between GCC thickness and retinal inflammation activity hasn’t been evaluated yet. Thus, we investigated the correlation between macular GCC thickness and retinal inflammation activity based on a fluorescein angiography (FA) scoring system.
Methods :
In this cross-sectional, retrospective study patients with Behçet’s uveitis who had active or a previous episode of retinal vasculitis were included. Diagnosis of Behçet’s disease followed the International Criteria for Behçet’s disease. History of diabetes, glaucoma or intraocular pressure (IOP)>21mmHg, optic disc atrophy and cumulative capillary non-perfusion area greater than 10-disc diameter were among the exclusion criteria. Fluorescein angiography images were scored for retinal inflammation activity using our previously devised FA scoring system(Table 1). Fovea-centered 6x6mm spectral-domain OCT scans were acquired and GCC thickness was measured for each ETDRS-based sector (concentric 1, 3, and 6mm-diameter circles denoting fovea, parafovea and perifovea regions respectively). Spearman rank correlation(rs) was used for correlation analysis.
Results :
Overall, 61 eyes of 32 patients (female/male=8/24, mean age 36.36±10.25) were included in the final analysis. Mean foveal, parafoveal, perifoveal and whole image GCC thicknesses were 58.80(±19.78)µm, 108.05(±22.74)µm, 106.02(±17.86)µm and 105.58(±17.17)µm respectively. Mean FA score was 9.79(±10.31). Significant negative correlation was observed between foveal GCC thickness and FA score (rs=-0.328, p=0.010). However, GCC thickness in parafoveal and perifoveal regions was not significantly correlated with FA score (rs=-0.194 and rs=-0.006, p>0.05). Similarly, GCC thickness in quadrants and hemifields of the corresponding regions were not significantly correlated with FA score.
Conclusions :
Foveal GCC thickness, unlike measurements in parafoveal and perifoveal regions, was significantly correlated with retinal inflammation activity, suggesting that this parameter may be useful in monitoring disease activity in patients with Behçet’s retinal vasculitis. Additional imaging modalities such as OCT-Angiography may help further explore this topic.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.