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Copyright 2011 by The Association for Research in V<strong>is</strong>ion and Ophthalmology, Inc.<br />

Association <strong>of</strong> Mean Ocular Perfusion Pressure and <strong>Diabetic</strong> Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Sankara Nethralaya<br />

<strong>Diabetic</strong> Retinopathy Epidemiology And Molecular Genetic Study (SN-DREAMS, report 28)<br />

Running title: Ocular perfusion pressure and diabetic <strong>retinopathy</strong><br />

Authors:<br />

Rajiv Raman (MS, DNB) 1<br />

Aditi Gupta (MS) 1<br />

Vai<strong>the</strong>eswaran Kulothungan (MSc, Mphil) 2<br />

Tarun Sharma (MD, FRCSEd, MBA) 1<br />

Institutional Affiliation: 1 Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, 18, College Road, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai-<br />

600 006, Tamil Nadu, India<br />

2 Department <strong>of</strong> Preventive Ophthalmology, 18, College Road, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai-600 006, Tamil Nadu, India<br />

Address for correspondence:<br />

Dr. Tarun Sharma, MD, FRCSEd, MBA<br />

Director, Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, Sankara Nethralaya, College Road, Chennai - 600 006, Tamil<br />

Nadu, India.<br />

E- mail: drtaruns@gmail.com<br />

Word Count: 3325<br />

1<br />

IOVS Papers in Press. Publ<strong>is</strong>hed on May 5, 2011 as Manuscript iovs.10-6903


Abstract<br />

Purpose<br />

To elucidate <strong>the</strong> d<strong>is</strong>tribution <strong>of</strong> Mean Ocular Perfusion Pressure (MOPP) and to study <strong>the</strong> relationship between MOPP<br />

and <strong>Diabetic</strong> Retinopathy (DR) in a south Indian sub-population with diabetes.<br />

Methods<br />

Th<strong>is</strong> was a population-based, cross-sectional study compr<strong>is</strong>ing 1368 subjects, aged ≥ 40, with Type 2 diabetes. DR was<br />

diagnosed on <strong>the</strong> bas<strong>is</strong> <strong>of</strong> modified Klein classification. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were<br />

recorded using <strong>the</strong> mercury sphygmomanometer. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was assessed by applanation tonometry.<br />

MOPP was derived using . SPSS (version 9.0) was used for stat<strong>is</strong>tical<br />

analys<strong>is</strong>.<br />

Results<br />

The mean ± SD, for MOPP was 52.6 ± 9.0 mm Hg, higher in women than men (p=0.046). In compar<strong>is</strong>on to subjects<br />

without DR, MOPP was higher in men with sight threatening diabetic <strong>retinopathy</strong> (STDR) (p=0.030) and higher in women<br />

with any DR (p=0.008) and non-STDR (p=0.006). However, on multivariate analys<strong>is</strong> after adjusting for all factors, MOPP<br />

2


was found to be not associated with DR (OR=1.02 95% CI=0.99-1.03, p=0.149), non-STDR (OR=1.02 95% CI=0.99-1.03,<br />

p=0.312) and STDR (OR=1.02 95% CI=0.98-1.05; p=0.358).<br />

Conclusions<br />

Univariate analys<strong>is</strong> revealed very small differences in <strong>the</strong> association <strong>of</strong> MOPP and DR among both <strong>the</strong> genders which<br />

are probably <strong>of</strong> no clinical significance. Multivariate analys<strong>is</strong> showed no association between MOPP and DR. There<br />

seems to be very little evidence for a link between MOPP and DR. It might be more informative to evaluate <strong>the</strong><br />

association in longitudinal studies.<br />

3


Introduction<br />

<strong>Diabetic</strong> Retinopathy (DR) <strong>is</strong> <strong>one</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>leading</strong> <strong>causes</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>blindness</strong> <strong>today</strong>. However, <strong>the</strong> <strong>causes</strong> <strong>of</strong> vascular pathology in<br />

th<strong>is</strong> d<strong>is</strong>ease are not fully understood. 1-3 Though, chronic hyperglycemia initiates <strong>the</strong> processes, 4 <strong>the</strong> factors that link<br />

elevated glucose levels to vascular cell dysfunction, capillary dropout and t<strong>is</strong>sue hypoxia, and to abnormal angiogenes<strong>is</strong>,<br />

remain poorly described. 2,5,6 Dysfunctional retinal perfusion can explain few aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pathophysiology <strong>of</strong> DR. 1<br />

Subjects with diabetes suffer from dysfunctional retinal perfusion. 1,2 While <strong>the</strong>se deficiencies may, in part, reflect<br />

responses to a primary event occurring in <strong>the</strong> retinal microvasculature, <strong>the</strong>y may independently contribute to <strong>the</strong><br />

development and progression <strong>of</strong> th<strong>is</strong> d<strong>is</strong>ease. 1 The blood flow in any t<strong>is</strong>sue <strong>is</strong> generated by <strong>the</strong> perfusion pressure. The<br />

circumferential stress in a vessel <strong>is</strong> directly proportional to <strong>the</strong> perfusion pressure. 7 A higher perfusion pressure can<br />

increase <strong>the</strong> circumferential stress damage to <strong>the</strong> vessel wall, <strong>leading</strong> to a continuing propensity to dilatation with<br />

subsequent hyperperfusion. 8 At <strong>the</strong> same time, high perfusion pressure can also reduce <strong>the</strong> retinal perfusion by causing<br />

autoregulation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> retinal vasculature, 8 though <strong>the</strong> diabetic vascular system <strong>is</strong> known for its abnormal autoregulatory<br />

capacity. 9 In any case, both increased and decreased retinal blood flow will be detrimental for <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> DR. 2<br />

Moreover, higher perfusion pressure and <strong>the</strong> resultant stress changes can also increase <strong>the</strong> net pressure gradient from<br />

vessels to t<strong>is</strong>sue, <strong>leading</strong> to more fluid leaving <strong>the</strong> retinal capillaries (Starling’s forces) 10 and an increased r<strong>is</strong>k for rupture<br />

(Laplace’s law). 10 Since <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> no lymphatic circulation to drain away th<strong>is</strong> excess interstitial fluid, increased leakage will<br />

4


esult in retinal edema and diabetic maculopathy and vessel rupture will cause hemorrhages and capillary dropout,<br />

manifesting as clinical DR. 11<br />

The Mean Ocular Perfusion Pressure (MOPP) <strong>is</strong> expressed as two third <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> difference between <strong>the</strong> Mean Arterial<br />

Pressure (MAP) and <strong>the</strong> Intraocular Pressure (IOP). Since MOPP <strong>is</strong> a potentially modifiable factor, knowing its<br />

relationship to diabetic <strong>retinopathy</strong> and maculopathy can prove useful in preventing such diabetes complications.<br />

MOPP has previously been implicated in <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> diabetic <strong>retinopathy</strong>. 8,12-15 However, <strong>the</strong> relationship between<br />

MOPP and DR as studied in previous reports remains unclear. Some studies showed that high ocular perfusion pressure<br />

<strong>is</strong> associated with progression <strong>of</strong> DR. 8,12-13 and o<strong>the</strong>rs suggested that MOPP decreased as DR worsened. 14 Ano<strong>the</strong>r study<br />

also reported a higher MOPP with macular edema. 15<br />

Th<strong>is</strong> study aims to elucidate <strong>the</strong> d<strong>is</strong>tribution <strong>of</strong> MOPP, systemic factors associated with MOPP and its relationship with<br />

DR in a population-based sample <strong>of</strong> subjects with Type 2 diabetes in south India.<br />

Methods<br />

The details <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study design and methodology are described elsewhere. 16 The study was approved by <strong>the</strong> Institutional<br />

Review Board, and a written informed consent was obtained from <strong>the</strong> subjects as per <strong>the</strong> Helsinki Declaration. 17 The<br />

study population was selected by mult<strong>is</strong>tage systematic random sampling. The sampling was stratified based on <strong>the</strong><br />

socio-economic criteria. In <strong>the</strong> first stage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study, div<strong>is</strong>ions were selected using computer generated random<br />

5


numbers. Study subjects were <strong>the</strong>n selected randomly from each selected div<strong>is</strong>ion. The sample size was calculated<br />

based on <strong>the</strong> assumption that <strong>the</strong> prevalence <strong>of</strong> DR in <strong>the</strong> general population above 40 years <strong>of</strong> age was 1.3%, as<br />

estimated in <strong>the</strong> Andhra Pradesh Eye D<strong>is</strong>ease Study; 18 with a relative prec<strong>is</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> 25%, a dropout rate <strong>of</strong> 20% and a<br />

design effect <strong>of</strong> 2. The estimated sample size was 5830. To meet <strong>the</strong> target, 600 individuals were enumerated from each<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 10 selected div<strong>is</strong>ions. Of <strong>the</strong> 5999 subjects enumerated, 5784 (96.42%) responded for first fasting blood sugar<br />

estimation. Of 5784, 1816 were subjects with Type 2 diabetes and were invited to v<strong>is</strong>it <strong>the</strong> base hospital for<br />

comprehensive evaluation, including second blood sugar estimation. Of <strong>the</strong>se 1816 subjects,1563 (85.60%) responded,<br />

including 1175 having previously diagnosed diabetes; and 388 prov<strong>is</strong>ionally diagnosed as having diabetes. Again,138<br />

subjects were excluded because in 2 subjects, <strong>the</strong> age criterion was not met, and in 136, second fasting blood sugar was<br />

less than 110 mg/dl. An additional 11 individuals were excluded because <strong>the</strong>ir digital fundus photographs were <strong>of</strong> poor<br />

quality, making <strong>the</strong>m ungradable for fur<strong>the</strong>r analys<strong>is</strong>. Thus, a total <strong>of</strong> 1414 subjects with Type 2 diabetes were available<br />

for <strong>the</strong> study.<br />

Thus, in present study, 1680 subjects out <strong>of</strong> 5784 (28.2%) had Type 2 diabetes. We have previously reported a temporal<br />

trend <strong>of</strong> increase in prevalence <strong>of</strong> diabetes in <strong>the</strong> general population between NUDS (National urban diabetes study) and<br />

our study; from 23.8% in 2000 to 28.2% in 2006. 19 Subjects with Type 2 diabetes were identified based on <strong>the</strong> American<br />

Diabetes Association criteria and <strong>the</strong>y underwent a detailed examination at <strong>the</strong> base hospital. 20<br />

6


After eight hours <strong>of</strong> overnight fasting, <strong>the</strong> fasting blood sample was taken to estimate <strong>the</strong> plasma glucose. For those with<br />

prov<strong>is</strong>ional diabetes, <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> diabetes was confirmed by re-estimating <strong>the</strong> fasting blood glucose by enzymatic<br />

assay; glucose was oxidized by glucose oxidase to produce gluconate and hydrogen peroxide, which was <strong>the</strong>n detected<br />

photometrically. Glycosylated hemoglobin fractions were estimated by using Merck Micro Lab 120 semi-automated<br />

analyzer (Bio-Rad DiaSTAT HbA1c Reagent Kit). 20 The total serum cholesterol (CHOD-POD method), serum triglycerides<br />

(CHOD-POD) and HDL (after protein precipitation CHOD-POD method), were estimated. Hypercholesterolemia was<br />

defined as serum total cholesterol levels ≥200 mg/dL, hypertriglyceridemia as serum triglycerides level ≥150 mg/dL and<br />

serum HDL was designated as low if


Pune, India), according to a protocol similar to that used in <strong>the</strong> Multi-ethnic Study <strong>of</strong> A<strong>the</strong>roscleros<strong>is</strong>. 23 Two readings were<br />

taken, five minutes apart. A third measurement was made if <strong>the</strong> Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) differed by more than 10<br />

mm Hg or <strong>the</strong> Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) differed by more than 5 mm Hg. 24 The mean between <strong>the</strong> two closest<br />

readings was taken as <strong>the</strong> blood pressure. Hypertension was defined as SBP ≥140 mm Hg or DBP ≥90 mm Hg.<br />

The IOP in both <strong>the</strong> eyes were measured using <strong>the</strong> Goldmann applanation tonometer (Ze<strong>is</strong>s AT 030 Applanation<br />

Tonometer, Carl Ze<strong>is</strong>s, Jena, Germany), using 0.05% proparacaine eye drops as topical anes<strong>the</strong>sia and 2% fluorescein to<br />

stain <strong>the</strong> tear film. In many recent reports, MOPP has been identified as an independent r<strong>is</strong>k factor for open angle<br />

glaucoma 25 and glaucoma <strong>is</strong> documented to have protective influence on DR. 26 Hence, we fur<strong>the</strong>r excluded 46 subjects<br />

with glaucoma (IOP>21 mm Hg) from <strong>the</strong> analys<strong>is</strong> so that <strong>the</strong> direct association between MOPP and DR can be assessed<br />

which <strong>is</strong> independent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> relationship <strong>of</strong> ei<strong>the</strong>r to glaucoma. Thus 1368 subjects were analyzed in th<strong>is</strong> study.<br />

MAP <strong>is</strong> calculated as:<br />

where <strong>the</strong> difference between <strong>the</strong> systolic and diastolic blood pressures <strong>is</strong> identified as <strong>the</strong> pulse pressure. The MOPP <strong>is</strong><br />

calculated from two third <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> difference between MAP and IOP and two third <strong>is</strong> added to <strong>the</strong> formula to estimate <strong>the</strong><br />

ophthalmic artery pressure. Hence, MOPP <strong>is</strong> derived using <strong>the</strong> following relation 27 :<br />

8


<strong>Diabetic</strong> Retinopathy<br />

All patients had <strong>the</strong>ir fundi photographed using <strong>the</strong> 45 0 four-field stereoscopic digital photography (Carl Ze<strong>is</strong>s Fundus<br />

Camera, V<strong>is</strong>ucamlite, and Jena, Germany) after pupillary dilatation. DR was diagnosed based on <strong>the</strong> modified Klein<br />

classification (Modified Early Treatment <strong>Diabetic</strong> Retinopathy Study scales). 28 For those who showed symptoms <strong>of</strong> any<br />

DR, additional 30º seven-field stereo digital pairs were taken. The prevalence <strong>of</strong> DR in <strong>the</strong> general population above 40<br />

year <strong>of</strong> age in our study was found to be 3.5%. 19 DR was divided into mild, moderate and severe Non-Proliferative<br />

<strong>Diabetic</strong> Retinopathy (NPDR) and Proliferative <strong>Diabetic</strong> Retinopathy (PDR); Clinically Significant Macular Edema (CSME)<br />

and non-CSME was graded as absent or present. 29 Mild and moderate NPDR was defined as non-sight threatening<br />

diabetic <strong>retinopathy</strong> (non-STDR) and severe NPDR, PDR and CSME were defined as Sight Threatening <strong>Diabetic</strong><br />

Retinopathy (STDR). 30 Th<strong>is</strong> grading was d<strong>one</strong> by two independent observers in a masked fashion; <strong>the</strong> grading agreement<br />

was high (k=0.83). 16<br />

Stat<strong>is</strong>tical analys<strong>is</strong>:<br />

A computerized database was created for all <strong>the</strong> records. Stat<strong>is</strong>tical s<strong>of</strong>tware (SPSS for Windows, ver.13.0 SPSS<br />

Science, Chicago, IL) was used for stat<strong>is</strong>tical analys<strong>is</strong>. All <strong>the</strong> data were expressed as mean ± S.D or as percentage, if<br />

categorical. The stat<strong>is</strong>tical significance was assumed at p values ≤0.05. Univariate and multivariate log<strong>is</strong>tic regression<br />

analyses were performed to elucidate <strong>the</strong> r<strong>is</strong>k factors for microangiopathies. The Odds Ratio (OR), with 95% confidence<br />

9


intervals, was calculated for <strong>the</strong> studied variables. The factors that were used for multivariate analys<strong>is</strong> included <strong>the</strong> factors<br />

associated with mean arterial pressure (age, gender, duration <strong>of</strong> diabetes, age <strong>of</strong> onset <strong>of</strong> diabetes, glycosylated<br />

hemoglobin, body mass index, wa<strong>is</strong>t circumference, micro- and macroalbuminuria, serum total cholesterol, serum<br />

triglycerides, serum high density lipoproteins, and anemia) as well as <strong>the</strong> factors associated with intraocular pressure<br />

(height and weight <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> subject and central corneal thickness).<br />

Results<br />

Table 1 describes <strong>the</strong> baseline character<strong>is</strong>tics <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study population. Of <strong>the</strong> 1368 subjects, 875 (64%) had systemic<br />

hypertension. The mean ± SD for SBP, DBP, MOPP and IOP, in <strong>the</strong> overall study population, were 139.0 ± 20.8 mm Hg<br />

(median, 140), 82.0 ± 11.4 mm Hg (median, 80), 52.6 ± 9.0 mm Hg (median, 51.4), and 14.80 ± 2.9 mm Hg (median, 14)<br />

respectively. Women had higher SBP (p


p=0.546 overall, p=0.663 in men, p=0.228 in women for IOP). SBP increased (p


STDR when compared with <strong>the</strong> no-DR group. Similarly, MOPP when adjusted for all factors, was found to be not<br />

associated with DR (OR=1.02 95% CI=0.99-1.03, p=0.149), non-STDR (OR=1.02 95% CI=0.99-1.03, p=0.312) and STDR<br />

(OR=1.02 95% CI=0.98-1.05; p=0.358). When compared to subjects with no maculopathy, MOPP adjusted with all<br />

variables, had no association with non-CSME and CSME (results not shown in <strong>the</strong> table).<br />

D<strong>is</strong>cussion<br />

We report <strong>the</strong> MOPP among subjects with Type 2 diabetes and elucidate <strong>the</strong> systemic factors associated with MOPP and<br />

its association with DR. In <strong>the</strong> present study, women had higher MOPP than men. Also, SBP was found to be higher<br />

among women than men. Recently, Zheng at al 25 reported higher MOPP, higher DBP, but lower SBP in men than in<br />

women. Higher SBP in women in <strong>the</strong> present study can probably be explained by <strong>the</strong> higher BMI in women 22 and poor<br />

health-seeking behaviour <strong>of</strong> women in Indian sub-continent. 31<br />

There was no significant trend <strong>of</strong> MOPP with age, as seen in Figure 1. We found a very small association <strong>of</strong> MOPP with<br />

<strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> onset <strong>of</strong> diabetes and weight <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> subject, which may not be clinically significant. We also found that MOPP <strong>is</strong><br />

associated with presence <strong>of</strong> nephropathy and serum lipids (triglycerides). There was no association with glycemic control<br />

and duration <strong>of</strong> diabetes. Th<strong>is</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> association <strong>is</strong> interesting as poor glycemic control and longer duration <strong>of</strong> diabetes<br />

are <strong>the</strong> most important r<strong>is</strong>k factors for DR. Kohner observed that retinal hyperperfusion was worse in those with poor<br />

12


diabetic control. 32 Konno et al observed a transition from decreasing retinal blood flow to increasing retinal blood flow in<br />

patients with longer duration <strong>of</strong> Type 1 diabetes and suggested that <strong>the</strong>re was a net decrease in <strong>the</strong> res<strong>is</strong>tance to flow<br />

with longer duration <strong>of</strong> diabetes. 33 Thus, longer duration <strong>of</strong> diabetes and poor glycemic control might be associated with<br />

increased retinal perfusion and a decrease in <strong>the</strong> res<strong>is</strong>tance to flow. However, MOPP <strong>is</strong> calculated from IOP and<br />

measured brachial blood pressure and it <strong>is</strong> unlikely that retinal changes can explain any change or lack <strong>of</strong> change in<br />

MOPP. Moreover, blood flow changes are related to <strong>the</strong> complex pathologic alterations that occur in <strong>the</strong> diabetic retina<br />

and are not yet understood fully. 33<br />

On evaluating <strong>the</strong> relationship between MOPP and DR among both genders, we found that in men, a higher MOPP was<br />

associated with STDR and CSME; whereas in women, it was associated with any DR and non-STDR. However, <strong>the</strong> size<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> differences found (in mm <strong>of</strong> Hg) was very small and most had only borderline stat<strong>is</strong>tical significance which<br />

d<strong>is</strong>appeared on multivariate analys<strong>is</strong>. Moss et al reported that a higher MOPP predicted higher incidence and progression<br />

<strong>of</strong> DR in younger-onset patients. 12 Patel et al reported a higher MOPP in <strong>the</strong> DR group when compared with <strong>the</strong> non-<br />

diabetic control subjects and a higher MOPP in <strong>the</strong> PDR group than in <strong>the</strong> no DR group. 8 Ano<strong>the</strong>r report also showed that<br />

low MOPP appeared to protect against DR. 13 Langham et al suggested that ophthalmic arterial blood pressure and MOPP<br />

decreased with worsening <strong>retinopathy</strong>. 14 However, <strong>the</strong>y did not report calculations <strong>of</strong> MOPP in <strong>the</strong>ir series <strong>of</strong> 33 patients<br />

and <strong>the</strong>ir suggestion was based on <strong>the</strong> indirect evidence <strong>of</strong> decrease in <strong>the</strong> choroidal blood flow with severity <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>retinopathy</strong> in diabetes. Roy et al observed that after adjusting for <strong>the</strong> duration <strong>of</strong> diabetes, patients with a higher MOPP<br />

13


were, on an average, twice as likely to have macular edema and severe hard exudates compared with those with lower<br />

MOPP. 15<br />

Thus, <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> contradictory evidence in literature regarding <strong>the</strong> relationship <strong>of</strong> MOPP with DR. However, n<strong>one</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />

reports studied <strong>the</strong> gender-w<strong>is</strong>e association, which might explain <strong>the</strong>se differences. A recent study evaluated <strong>the</strong><br />

d<strong>is</strong>tribution <strong>of</strong> MOPP and its association with open angle glaucoma and found that <strong>the</strong> association was stronger in women<br />

than in men. 25 Th<strong>is</strong> was attributed to <strong>the</strong> more frequent occurrence <strong>of</strong> vascular dysregulations among women in white<br />

populations. In <strong>the</strong> present study, as depicted in table 1, women subjects had higher BMI as compared to men subjects.<br />

Earlier, we reported an increased prevalence <strong>of</strong> obesity, defined by BMI, in women compared to men. 22 Increasing<br />

evidence for <strong>the</strong> role played by adipocytokines like adip<strong>one</strong>ctin, 34 leptin 35-36 , hepatocyte growth factor 37 and Zinc- 2-<br />

Glycoprotein 38 in pathogenes<strong>is</strong> <strong>of</strong> DR and <strong>the</strong> reports <strong>of</strong> inverse association between sex-horm<strong>one</strong>-binding globulin and<br />

insulin levels in men and women 39-40 prompted us to evaluate <strong>the</strong> gender differences between MOPP and DR. However,<br />

we did not find any significant association <strong>of</strong> MOPP with DR, non-STDR and STDR on multivariate analys<strong>is</strong>.<br />

Though, direct relationship <strong>of</strong> MOPP and DR has not been studied in many reports, <strong>the</strong>re are many studies which have<br />

evaluated <strong>the</strong> association <strong>of</strong> retinal blood flow with DR. An overview <strong>of</strong> retinal perfusion abnormalities in <strong>the</strong> different<br />

stages <strong>of</strong> DR shows contradictory findings . 2 One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first hints <strong>of</strong> altered retinal blood flow in patients with diabetes<br />

mellitus came from Kohner et al, 41-42 who reported an increased retinal blood flow in patients with absent or mild, but not<br />

with moderate or severe DR. The lack <strong>of</strong> increased blood flow in those with severe DR was explained on <strong>the</strong><br />

14


as<strong>is</strong> that <strong>the</strong> blood vessels were so d<strong>is</strong>eased that it could not respond even to a strong autoregulatory stimulus.<br />

Increased retinal blood flow in <strong>the</strong> early stages <strong>of</strong> DR and decreased retinal blood flow in PDR was also observed in<br />

subsequent reports. 43-44 By contrast, Blair et al did not observe an alteration <strong>of</strong> mean retinal circulation time in <strong>the</strong> early<br />

retinal damage but reported prolongation in PDR. 45 Yoshida et al reported increasing blood flow with <strong>the</strong> progression <strong>of</strong><br />

background DR. 46 In Type 1 diabetic patients, Bursell et al reported an increased mean circulation time indicative <strong>of</strong><br />

reduced retinal blood flow in subjects with no apparent DR 47 and a sequential decrease in mean circulation time with<br />

advancing NPDR. 48 Ano<strong>the</strong>r report observed a shift from decreased to increased retinal blood flow with progression <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

d<strong>is</strong>ease in Type 1 diabetes. 49 Patel et al reported an increase in <strong>the</strong> total retinal blood flow with progression <strong>of</strong> DR,<br />

showing highest values in patients with PDR. 8 However, evidence from a variety <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r studies showed that retinal<br />

vasodilatation occurred before <strong>the</strong> clinical onset <strong>of</strong> DR in patients with diabetes, 50,2 and increased ocular blood flow was<br />

observed in patients having background DR. 51,2<br />

Thus, despite <strong>the</strong> contradictory results, <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> evidence that both increased and decreased retinal blood flow <strong>is</strong><br />

detrimental for <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> DR. 2 However, it should be considered that alterations in MOPP cannot be directly<br />

correlated to alterations in retinal blood flow. In <strong>the</strong> late stages <strong>of</strong> DR, <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> ocular perfusion abnormalities appears<br />

to strongly depend on glycemic control as well as on <strong>the</strong> specific pathologic features. 2<br />

15


The limitations <strong>of</strong> our study included its cross-sectional design and its focus on patients with Type 2 diabetes only.<br />

Whe<strong>the</strong>r our results can be extrapolated to patients with Type 1 diabetes <strong>is</strong> unclear. Ano<strong>the</strong>r limitation <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> unavailability<br />

<strong>of</strong> data on how many were treated for high IOP or high blood pressure. Since th<strong>is</strong> information <strong>is</strong> not available, <strong>the</strong><br />

treatment <strong>is</strong> a possible confounder in th<strong>is</strong> study. Also, we did not study <strong>the</strong> retinal blood flow in our study population. It will<br />

be interesting to study <strong>the</strong> retinal blood flow and MOPP among both genders.<br />

On univariate analys<strong>is</strong>, we found very small gender differences in MOPP (<strong>of</strong> 1 mm <strong>of</strong> Hg, which <strong>is</strong> about 2% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mean),<br />

which are probably <strong>of</strong> no clinical significance. On multivariate log<strong>is</strong>tic regression analys<strong>is</strong> <strong>of</strong> MOPP with DR with<br />

sequential adjustment <strong>of</strong> r<strong>is</strong>k factors, we did not find any stat<strong>is</strong>tical association between MOPP and DR. However, <strong>the</strong><br />

present study evaluated <strong>the</strong> MOPP association at a single point <strong>of</strong> time ra<strong>the</strong>r than prospectively. Hence, future<br />

prospective studies may provide more information about <strong>the</strong> association between <strong>the</strong> MOPP and DR, if any, though <strong>the</strong><br />

clinical significance <strong>of</strong> such an association seems little only.<br />

Conclusion<br />

We report no association <strong>of</strong> MOPP with DR, non-STDR and STDR. There seems to be very little evidence for a link<br />

between MOPP and DR, at least for a link that matters. Since DR <strong>is</strong> a multifactorial d<strong>is</strong>ease and perfusion pressure and<br />

vascular factors are likely to be involved in its pathophysiology, it might be more informative to evaluate <strong>the</strong>se<br />

associations in prospective studies.<br />

16


Acknowledgements:<br />

We acknowledge <strong>the</strong> support <strong>of</strong> RD Tata Trust, Mumbai, for th<strong>is</strong> project.<br />

17


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24


Figure Legends<br />

Fig 1: Genderw<strong>is</strong>e d<strong>is</strong>tribution <strong>of</strong> blood pressure, mean ocular perfusion pressure and intraocular pressure in <strong>the</strong> study<br />

population with Type 2 diabetes<br />

25


Table 1: Baseline character<strong>is</strong>tics <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study population<br />

Overall<br />

Mean ± SD<br />

Men Women p<br />

n 1368 723 645<br />

SBP (mm <strong>of</strong> Hg) 139.00 ± 20.8 137.05 ± 20.1 141.30 ± 21.8


Table 2: Systemic factors associated with mean ocular perfusion pressure in <strong>the</strong> study population<br />

MOPP range (mm Hg)<br />

26.2-46.4 46.5-51.4 51.5-57.5 57.6-90.2 p*<br />

n 357 328 343 340<br />

Age (years) 1.00 (Reference) 1.00 (0.99-1.02) 1.01 (0.99-1.03) 1.03 (1.01-1.05) 0.035<br />

Gender (female) 1.00 (Reference) 1.34 (0.85-2.09) 1.37 (0.86-2.18) 0.87 (0.54-1.40) 0.054<br />

Duration <strong>of</strong> diabetes (years) 1.00 (Reference) 0.99 (0.96-1.02) 1.01 (0.98-1.04) 0.97 (0.94-1.00) 0.389<br />

Age <strong>of</strong> onset <strong>of</strong> diabetes<br />

(years)<br />

1.00 (Reference) 1.00 (0.99-1.02) 1.00 (0.98-1.02) 1.03 (1.01-1.05) 0.028<br />

HbA1c>7 1.00 (Reference) 1.47 (1.05-2.06) 1.29 (0.92-1.80) 1.05 (0.74-1.50) 0.588<br />

Generalized obesity<br />

defined by BMI<br />

1.00 (Reference) 0.85 (0.40-1.81) 0.49 (0.21-1.18) 0.90 (0.40-2.02)


Table 3: Association <strong>of</strong> mean ocular perfusion pressure with diabetic <strong>retinopathy</strong> and diabetic maculopathy<br />

Overall<br />

MOPP (mm <strong>of</strong> Hg)<br />

Men Women<br />

n Mean±SD p* n Mean±SD p* n Mean±SD p*<br />

Retinopathy<br />

No DR 1124 52.3±8.9 ref 571 51.9±8.6 ref 553 52.7±9.1 ref<br />

Any DR 244 53.6±9.6 0.042 152 52.6±9.1 0.379 92 55.2±10.4 0.008<br />

Non-STDR 200 53.4±9.6 0.112 123 51.9±8.6 1.00 77 55.8±10.7 0.006<br />

STDR<br />

Maculopathy<br />

No<br />

44 54.4±9.7 0.126 29 55.5±10.5 0.03 15 52.3±7.9 0.866<br />

maculopathy 164 53.7±9.4 ref 103 52.2±8.2 ref 61 55.2±10.8 ref<br />

Non-CSME 64 53.5±10.5 0.889 40 52.6±11.1 0.814 24 55.0±9.5 0.937<br />

CSME 16 53.4±8.8 0.903 9 58.0±8.2 0.044 7 47.6±5.7 0.073<br />

MOPP= Mean ocular perfusion pressure, DR= <strong>Diabetic</strong> <strong>retinopathy</strong>, STDR= Sight threatening diabetic<br />

<strong>retinopathy</strong>, CSME= Clinically significant macular edema<br />

30


Table 4: Multivariate log<strong>is</strong>tic regression analys<strong>is</strong> <strong>of</strong> MOPP with DR with sequential adjustment <strong>of</strong> r<strong>is</strong>k factors<br />

Association <strong>of</strong> MOPP with DR, non-STDR No DR vs<br />

No DR vs<br />

No DR vs<br />

and STDR<br />

any DR<br />

non-STDR<br />

STDR<br />

OR (95% <strong>of</strong> CI) p OR (95% <strong>of</strong> CI) p OR (95% <strong>of</strong> CI) p<br />

MOPP (Unadjusted) 1.01 (0.99-1.03) 0.134 1.01 (0.99-1.02) 0.403 1.02 (0.99-1.06) 0.111<br />

Adjusted for gender 1.01 (0.99-1.03) 0.094 1.01 (0.99-1.02) 0.333 1.03 (0.99-1.06) 0.088<br />

Adjusted for age, gender 1.01 (0.99-1.03) 0.102 1.01 (0.99-1.02) 0.343 1.03 (0.99-1.06) 0.093<br />

Adjusted for age, gender, duration <strong>of</strong> DM 1.02 (1.01-1.03) 0.032 1.01 (0.99-1.03) 0.185 1.03 (1.00-1.07) 0.051<br />

Adjusted for age, gender, duration, BMI 1.03 (1.01-1.04) 0.003 1.02 (1.00-1.03) 0.047 1.04 (1.01-1.07) 0.018<br />

Adjusted for age, gender, duration, BMI,<br />

HbA1c<br />

1.03 (1.01-1.04) 0.003 1.02 (1.00-1.03) 0.05 1.04 (1.01-1.07) 0.020<br />

Adjusted for age, gender, duration, BMI,<br />

HbA1c, cholesterol<br />

1.03 (1.01-1.04) 0.003 1.02 (1.00-1.04) 0.047 1.04 (1.01-1.07) 0.021<br />

Adjusted for age, gender, duration, BMI,<br />

HbA1c, cholesterol, HDL<br />

1.03 (1.01-1.04) 0.003 1.02 (1.00-1.03) 0.047 1.04 (1.00-1.07) 0.028<br />

Adjusted for age, gender, duration, BMI,<br />

HbA1c, cholesterol, HDL, TG<br />

1.03 (1.01-1.04) 0.003 1.02 (1.00-1.04) 0.045 1.04 (1.00-1.07) 0.028<br />

Adjusted for age, gender, duration, BMI,<br />

HbA1c, cholesterol, HDL, TG, albuminuria<br />

1.02 (1.00-1.03) 0.048 1.02 (0.99-1.03) 0.101 1.02 (0.98-1.05) 0.368<br />

Adjusted for age, gender, duration, BMI,<br />

HbA1c, cholesterol, HDL, TG,<br />

albuminuria, WC<br />

1.02 (1.00-1.03) 0.048 1.02 (0.99-1.03) 0.101 1.02 (0.98-1.05) 0.38<br />

Adjusted for age, gender, duration, BMI,<br />

HbA1c, cholesterol, HDL, TG,<br />

albuminuria, WC, onset <strong>of</strong> DM<br />

1.02 (0.99-1.03) 0.149 1.02 (0.99-1.03) 0.312 1.02 (0.98-1.05) 0.358<br />

MOPP= Mean ocular perfusion pressure, DR= <strong>Diabetic</strong> <strong>retinopathy</strong>, STDR= Sight threatening diabetic <strong>retinopathy</strong>,DM=Diabetes mellitus, BMI=<br />

Body mass index, HbA1c= Glycosylated hemoglobin, HDL=High density lipoproteins, TG= Triglycerides, WC= Wa<strong>is</strong>t circumference<br />

31

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