Relationship between peripheral neuropathy and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationship between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and peripheral neuropathy in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods Clinical data of elderly patients with T2DM in Endocrinology Department in Beijing Hospital were retrospectively collected.Global and sectorial retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thicknesses were measured by using optical coherence tomography(OCT), and never conduction velocity measurements were performed in all patients.Diabetic peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed by the criteria in diabetic neuropathies update(2010, American Diabetes Association). RNFL thickness was compared between diabetic non-peripheral neuropathy group(control group, n=30)and diabetic peripheral neuropathy group(DPN group, n=17)and between different sub-groups. Results The RNFL thicknesses of temporal, nasal, superior and inferior visual fields and the mean RNFL thickness were less in DPN group than in control group, among which there were significant differences in the RNFL thicknesses of superior, inferior visual fields and the mean RNFL thickness 〔(107.7±27.4)μm vs.(128.1±17.3)μm, (112.9±20.8)μm vs.(130.8±21.8)μm, (88.2±15.5)μm vs.(100.5±11.3)μm, F=7.446, 7.468, 7.988, respectively, P=0.009, 0.009 and 0.007〕. RNFL thickness was decreased along with the aggravation of DPN from the control group, the subclinical DPN group to the DPN group successively(all P<0.05). Conclusions Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness is associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, and the relationship is more significant in patients with serious DPN. Key words: Diabetic retinopathy; Retinal neurons; Tomography, optical coherence