Ozlem Budakoglu1, Kubra Ozdemir1, Yasir Safak2, Emine Sen1, Busra Taskale1. 1. Ankara Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
Clinical relevance: Schizophrenia is a progressive disease. Analysis of retinal nerve fibre layer and peripapillary vascular density by optical coherence tomography angiography in schizophrenia patients may help to explain the pathophysiology of the disease.Background: Both macular and optic nerve microvascular structures can be visualised with optical coherence tomography angiography. Few studies have evaluated retinal vessels in patients with schizophrenia. Some of these studies suggest that larger retinal venules are associated with the severity of psychotic symptoms. Methods: This study evaluated retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and peripapillary vascular density by optical coherence tomography angiography in 22 eyes of 22 patients with schizophrenia and 26 eyes of 26 healthy control subjects. All peripapillary quadrants were evaluated with 4.5 × 4.5 mm images. Results: In the schizophrenia group, retinal nerve fibre layer thickness was significantly thinner and the mean peripapillary vascular density values were significantly lower in the temporal quadrant than in the control group (p < 0.05), but was similar in the peripapillary, superior, inferior, and nasal quadrants (p > 0.05). Peripapillary vascular density values and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in schizophrenia patients were found to be lower in temporal quadrant compared to healthy eyes. Conclusion: Evaluation of the retina with optical coherence tomography angiography may be useful in detecting and monitoring progressive neurodegeneration in patients with schizophrenia.
Clinical relevance: Schizophrenia is a progressive disease. Analysis of retinal nerve fibre layer and peripapillary vascular density by optical coherence tomography angiography in schizophreniapatients may help to explain the pathophysiology of the disease.Background: Both macular and optic nerve microvascular structures can be visualised with optical coherence tomography angiography. Few studies have evaluated retinal vessels in patients with schizophrenia. Some of these studies suggest that larger retinal venules are associated with the severity of psychotic symptoms. Methods: This study evaluated retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and peripapillary vascular density by optical coherence tomography angiography in 22 eyes of 22 patients with schizophrenia and 26 eyes of 26 healthy control subjects. All peripapillary quadrants were evaluated with 4.5 × 4.5 mm images. Results: In the schizophrenia group, retinal nerve fibre layer thickness was significantly thinner and the mean peripapillary vascular density values were significantly lower in the temporal quadrant than in the control group (p < 0.05), but was similar in the peripapillary, superior, inferior, and nasal quadrants (p > 0.05). Peripapillary vascular density values and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in schizophreniapatients were found to be lower in temporal quadrant compared to healthy eyes. Conclusion: Evaluation of the retina with optical coherence tomography angiography may be useful in detecting and monitoring progressive neurodegeneration in patients with schizophrenia.
Authors: Deepthi Bannai; Iniya Adhan; Raviv Katz; Leo A Kim; Matcheri Keshavan; John B Miller; Paulo Lizano Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2022-01-21 Impact factor: 7.348