Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the relationships between C-reactive protein (CRP) and retinal and choroidal thickness by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods The participants included in the prospective cross-sectional study underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination. Based on the CRP values, the subjects were divided into the CRP (+) group (CRP ≥ 8.2 mg/L) and the CRP (−) group (CRP < 8.2 mg/L). The retinal and choroidal thickness was compared between the two groups. Results This study enrolled 43 right eyes of 43 subjects from the CRP (+) group and 86 right eyes of 86 gender- and age-match subjects from the CRP (−) group. The choroidal thickness in the CRP (+) group was thinner than that in the CRP (−) group except for the outer nasal sector of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid. However, the retinal thickness only in the inner temporal sector showed a significant difference. According to Pearson's correlation analysis, the CRP was significantly negatively correlated with the choroidal thickness in all sectors and the retinal thickness only in the inner temporal and outer nasal sectors of the ETDRS grid. Conclusion CRP levels are associated with retinal and choroidal thickness. The data related to the retinal and choroidal thickness changes may help understand the pathogenesis of specific ocular abnormalities in patients with systemic inflammation.
Highlights
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory protein that takes part in an acute phase reaction
The results showed that the choroidal thickness in the CRP (+) group was thinner than that in the CRP (−) group except for the outer nasal sector of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid
According to Pearson’s correlation analysis, the CRP was significantly negatively correlated with the retinal thickness in the inner temporal and outer nasal sectors and the choroidal thickness in all areas of the ETDRS grid
Summary
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory protein that takes part in an acute phase reaction. It is synthesized primarily in liver hepatocytes and in lymphocytes, macrophages, adipocyte endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells [1]. Numerous factors can alter baseline CRP levels, including age, gender, and blood pressure [2]. The expression of CRP increases during inflammatory conditions, for instance, rheumatoid arthritis, infection, and special cardiovascular diseases [4]. It has been used for the diagnosis, follow-up, treatment, and mortality prediction in patients with inflammatory diseases [5, 6]
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