Hirotaka Yokouchi1, Takayuki Baba1, Sonoko Misawa2, Setsu Sawai2,3,4, Masayasu Kitahashi1, Toshiyuki Oshitari1, Satoshi Kuwabara2, Shuichi Yamamoto1. 1. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. 2. Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. 3. Department of Molecular Diagnosis, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. 4. Division of Laboratory Medicine and Clinical Genetics, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
Abstract
AIMS: To determine whether there is a significant correlation between the peripapillary retinal thickness (pRT) and the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, observational case series. We studied 34 eyes of 17 treatment-naïve patients with POEMS syndrome whose intracranial pressure was within the normal range. The spectral-domain optical coherence tomographic (SD-OCT) examinations consisted of circle scans of 3.45 mm diameter around the optic disc. The pRT was automatically measured in the SD-OCT images and was used for the statistical analysis. The serum level of VEGF was measured by ELISAs, and the correlation between the pRT and the serum level of VEGF was determined. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent factors that were correlated with the pRT. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between the serum levels of VEGF and the average pRT of the two eyes of each patient (r=0.81, p<0.0001). There was a significant correlation between the pRT of the right and left eyes with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.839. Multiple regression analysis showed that the serum levels of VEGF were independent contributors to the pRT (standard regression coefficient=0.59, p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The significant correlation between the pRT and the serum level of VEGF suggests that the higher serum level of VEGF might be associated with the development of the optic disc oedema in patients with POEMS syndrome. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.
AIMS: To determine whether there is a significant correlation between the peripapillary retinal thickness (pRT) and the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, observational case series. We studied 34 eyes of 17 treatment-naïve patients with POEMS syndrome whose intracranial pressure was within the normal range. The spectral-domain optical coherence tomographic (SD-OCT) examinations consisted of circle scans of 3.45 mm diameter around the optic disc. The pRT was automatically measured in the SD-OCT images and was used for the statistical analysis. The serum level of VEGF was measured by ELISAs, and the correlation between the pRT and the serum level of VEGF was determined. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent factors that were correlated with the pRT. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between the serum levels of VEGF and the average pRT of the two eyes of each patient (r=0.81, p<0.0001). There was a significant correlation between the pRT of the right and left eyes with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.839. Multiple regression analysis showed that the serum levels of VEGF were independent contributors to the pRT (standard regression coefficient=0.59, p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The significant correlation between the pRT and the serum level of VEGF suggests that the higher serum level of VEGF might be associated with the development of the optic disc oedema in patients with POEMS syndrome. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.
Authors: Hana Mahallati; James Kirkland Roberts; Amer Assal; Divaya Bhutani; David C Park; Golnaz Moazami Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep Date: 2021-03-16