Reduced corneal nerve fiber length in pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes: The Maastricht Study

Session Details

Session Title: Cornea
Session Date/Time: Friday 10/02/2017 | 08:30-10:00
Paper Time: 09:48
Venue: Brussels Room 0.4

First Author: E.De Clerck THE NETHERLANDS
Co Author(s): J. Schouten  T. Berendschot  R. Nuijts  M. Schram   C. Stehouwer  C. Webers  

Abstract Details

Purpose:

In individuals with diabetes, injury to the corneal nerve fibers predisposes to delayed corneal epithelial healing, reduced corneal sensitivity, and corneal erosion. We investigated to what extent a reduction in corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) is present in individuals with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes (DM2) compared with individuals with normal glucose metabolism (NGM).

Setting:

University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center + , Maastricht, the Netherlands

Methods:

This study was performed as part of The Maastricht Study, an observational prospective population-based cohort study. Using composite images acquired by corneal confocal microscopy, we assessed total CNFL per mm2 in the subbasal nerve plexus of the cornea in 165 participants (mean age 58ﾱ8 years, 44% men, 110 NGM, 25 prediabetes, 30 DM2). Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the association between CNFL and glucose metabolism status, adjusted for age and sex.

Results:

In individuals with prediabetes [? = -1.53 mm/mm2 (95% CI -3.36 to 0.29), P = 0.10] and in individuals with DM2 [? = -1.78 mm/mm2 (95% CI -3.52 to -0.04), P = 0.045], CNFL was reduced as compared with individuals with NGM after adjustment, with a significant linear trend of CNFL reduction with severity of glucose metabolism status (P trend = 0.02).

Conclusions:

Major part of the reduction in CNFL observed in individuals with DM2 was already found in individuals with prediabetes. This may result in a delayed corneal healing and an increased risk for corneal complications after surgery.

Financial Disclosure:

None