Subclinical Retinal Capillary Abnormalities in Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus without Ocular Involvement

YILMAZ TUĞAN B., SÖNMEZ H. E., YÜKSEL N., Karabas L.

OCULAR IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION, vol.31, no.3, pp.576-584, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 31 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/09273948.2022.2116584
  • Journal Name: OCULAR IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.576-584
  • Keywords: Deep capillary plexus, juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus, optical coherence tomography angiography, retinal flow, retinal vessel density, COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY, RETINOPATHY
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate subclinical retinal microvascular changes with OCTA in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) patients without ocular involvement. Methods Ten eyes of 10 JSLE and 13 eyes of 13 age and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. The superficial (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), FAZ parameters, the flow area of the outer retina, and choriocapillaris were evaluated using OCTA. Results All vessel density (VD) parameters in DCP were significantly lower in JSLE group compared to HCs. There was no significant difference between the groups in VD parameters of both SCP and ONH, FAZ, outer retina and choriocapillaris flow area. All DCP VD parameters showed a good ability to differentiate JSLE from HCs. Conclusion OCTA could detect retinal vascular impairment in the deep macular region in JSLE patients with normal ocular examination. Furthermore, all DCP VD parameters have a good ability to discriminate JSLE from HCs.