Retinal Vessels in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Baseline Diameter and Response to Flicker Light Stimulation

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund: Retinale Gefäße wurden in Augen ohne Optikusneuritis in der Anamnese bei Patienten mit Multipler Sklerose analysiert. Patienten und Methoden: Gefäßsegmente von 500 µm Länge sowohl in der Nähe als auch distal von der Papille wurden mit dem Retinal Vessel Analyzer in Ruhe und während der Stimulation mit geflickertem Licht untersucht. Gefäßdurchmesser in Ruhe und die maximale Prozentdilatationen während der Stimulation wurden erfasst und analysiert. Egebnisse: Augen ohne Optikusneuritis in der Anamnese zeigten dünneren Arteriolen (p = 0,02) und dickeren Venolen (p = 0,008) als Kontrollaugen: Arteriolen 111 ± 14 (proximal)/ 99 ± 11,7 µm (distal) bei MS-Patienten und jeweils 121 ± 15 und 107 ± 9 bei Kontrollaugen. Für Venulen: 157 ± 18 und 136 ± 20 µm (MS); 147 ± 15 and 119 ± 20 µm (Kontrollaugen). Maximale arterielle Prozentdilatation war höher bei MS-Patienten als bei Kontrollaugen (p = 0,007) und vergleichbar bei Venulen (p = 0,35). Schlussfolgerung: Die beobachtete Gefäßkonfiguration lässt sich möglicherweise durch eine subklinische Axonenschwellung erklären.

Abstract

Background: Transparency of ocular media enables the precise quantitative analysis of vessels of retina, a neuronal tissue which can be affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients and Methods: Eyes with no history of optic neuritis (non-ON eyes) of 21 patients with MS were examined with Retinal Vessel Analyzer. Segments of vessels of 500 µm length were measured proximal and distal from the optic disc and compared to those of 21 age- and gender-matched controls. Baseline diameters and peak response to flicker light stimulation of retinal vessels were analyzed. Results: MS eyes had thinner arterioles (p = 0.02) and thicker venules (p = 0.008) than controls: arterioles 111 ± 14 µm (proximal), 99 ± 11 µm (distal) in MS eyes and 121 ± 15 and 107 ± 9 in controls, respectively. Values for venules were 157 ± 18 and 136 ± 20 (MS); 147 ± 15 and 119 ± 20 (controls). Peak response was higher in MS eyes than in controls for arterioles (p = 0.007), but comparable for venules (p = 0.35). Conclusion: Narrower arterioles and wider venules might be a consequence of subclinical swelling of optic nerve axons in eyes with negative history of ON in MS patients.

Schlüsselwörter

Multiple Sklerose - retinale Gefäße - Gefäßdurchmesser - neurovaskuläre Kopplung

Key words

multiple sclerosis - retinal vessels - vessel diameter - neurovascular coupling

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