Relationship between diabetic peripheral neuropathy and retinal nerve fiber layer thinning

Abstract

Objective To measure the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNF) thickness in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) of different severity peripheral neuropathy,and explore the correlation between RNFL thickness and severity of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.Methods Seventy-eight patients with NPDR diagnosed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were included in this study.Normal control group containing 50 cases,The level of neuropathy was assessed in 78 participants using Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS).Participants were stratified into four neuropathy groups:none,mild,moderate,and severe.The mean RNFL thickness and the superior,inferior,nasal and temporal retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses were measured at 3.45 mm diameter around,the optic nerve head using optical coherence tomography (OCT).RNFL thickness difference was estimate according to the analysis of DPN degree between the teams,and analysis evaluation retinopathy to the influence of RNFL thickness.Results Compared normal control group with mild,moderate,and severe DPN group,there were statistical differences in the mean and superior,inferior of quadrant of RNFL (P ＜0.05 for all); No DPN group and normal control group comparison,only inferior quadrant RNFL thickness had statistical difference (P ＜0.05).According to the degree of retinopathy,compared with normal control group,moderate and severe NPDR group mean,superior,inferior of quadrant RNFL thickness difference had statistical significance (P ＜0.05 for all); Mild NPDR group and normal control group comparison,inferior quadrant RNFL thickness had statistical difference(P ＜0.05).Conclusions RNFL thinning is associated with peripheral neuropathy in NPDR patients.With DPN symptoms appear and aggravating,RNFL thickness obviously thin.This is a simple method to speculation RNFL thickness change based on simple assessment of DPN,bring convenience for clinical work. Key words: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy; Diabetic retinopathy; Optical coherence tomography; Retinal nerve fiber layer thinning