Correlation between optical coherence tomography angiography and multifocal electroretinogram findings in patients with diabetes mellitus

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2021 Dec:36:102558. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2021.102558. Epub 2021 Sep 28.

Abstract

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by microvascular, neural and glial cell damage. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) can detect subclinical microvasculopathy while multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) can detect subclinical local retinal dysfunction before onset of clinically observable retinopathy. Here, we investigated the relationship between retinal dysfunction in multifocal electroretinography and vascular changes in optical coherence tomography angiography.

Methods: The study included 63 eyes of 63 diabetic patients without retinopathy (DM+DR-) and 68 eyes of 68 patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). In addition, 64 eyes of 64 age and sex-matched subjects were included as the control group (CG). All subjects were evaluated using OCTA and mfERG.

Results: The vascular density in the superficial and deep capillary plexus was significantly decreased in the DM+DR-group and the NPDR group compared with the CG group (except for the superficial foveal area, NPDR group vs. CG group) (p < 0.05). The vascular density of the superficial and deep parafoveal region was significantly decreased in the NPDR group compared to the DM+DR-group (p < 0.05). In circles of 2-, 5- and 10°, the amplitudes of the N1 and P1 waves were statistically significantly decreased in both the DM+DR- group and the NPDR group compared with the CG (p < 0.05). When the NPDR group was compared with the DM+DR- group, there was a statistically significant decrease in the amplitude of the N1 and P1 waves in the circles of 2- and 5° (p < 0.05). According to the correlation analysis, the amplitude and implicit times of the N1 and P1 waves showed weak-to-moderate correlation with vascular density (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The decreased peaks of mfERG wave provides evidence regarding neurodegenerative effect of DM-associated hyperglycaemia. The decreased vascular density caused by hyperglycaemia was topographically associated with the retinal dysfunction and neurodegeneration.

Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy; Multifocal electroretinography; Optical coherence tomography angiography; Retinal microvascular degenereation; Retinal neurodegeneration.

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus*
  • Diabetic Retinopathy* / diagnostic imaging
  • Electroretinography
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Fovea Centralis
  • Humans
  • Photochemotherapy* / methods
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Retinal Vessels / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence

Substances

  • Photosensitizing Agents