Longitudinal changes in the ganglion cell – inner plexus layer thickness in hypertension: A prospective observational study

Abstract

AbstractPurposeTo determine longitudinal changes in the ganglion cell‐inner plexus layer (GC‐IPL) thickness in patients with hypertension (HTN).DesignA prospective observational study.ParticipantsParticipants without any ophthalmic disease and systemic except HTN were divided into two groups: a HTN group (49 eyes) and a control group (56 eyes).MethodsAfter the initial visit, GC‐IPL thicknesses were measured four more times at 1‐year intervals using spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography. The GC‐IPL thickness was fitted using linear mixed models. Univariate and multivariate generalized linear mixed models were used to determine factors associated with GC‐IPL reductions over time.Main outcome measuresThe GC‐IPL thickness and redcution rate.ResultsThe mean ages of the HTN and control groups were 60.3 ± 9.7 and 57.7 ± 7.9 years, respectively, and they were not significantly different (p = 0.137). The baseline average GC‐IPL thicknesses were 81.84 ± 6.67 and 84.86 ± 4.39 μm; they were significantly different (p = 0.008). The average GC‐IPL reduction rate was −0.64 and −0.19 μm/year in the HTN and control groups, respectively; the interaction between group and duration was significant (p < 0.001). In the HTN group, all sectors showed a significant reduction over time, but in the control group, the superior, inferior, inferonasal and superonasal sector showed a significant reduction over time. In the linear mixed model determination of factors associated with GC‐IPL reduction, there was no significant factor in the control group. In the HTN group, age showed significant results in both univariate and multivariate analyses (estimate: −0.24, p = 0.009). In minimum parameter age and mean IOP showed significant (estimate: −0.30 and −1.38, all p = 0.043)ConclusionsPatients with HTN had a significantly reduction in GC‐IPL than normal individuals. Additionally, age and IOP affected the reduction in GC‐IPL in HTN patients.