Ocular circulation in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Background: Mean vascular resistance in the retrobulbar arteries of SLE patients and the statistical relationship between its parameters and the presence of certain antibodies were determined.

Material/methods: Forty-three eyes of 43 SLE female patients aged 46.28+/-8.45 years with disease duration of 10.03+/-7.96 years were examined. Physical and ophthalmic examinations with assessments of the immunological markers ANA/IgG-IgM, aCL, anti-beta2GPI, LA, and anti-dsDNA antibodies were performed. color Doppler imaging (CDI) was used in the OA, CRA, LPCA, and MPCA vessels. The vascular resistance indices (RIs) were compared with those of 43 eyes of 43 female controls. Covariance and multiple regression analysis with chi squared, Pearson, Shapiro-Wilk, and Levene tests were used in the statistical analysis (significance levels at p<or=0.01 and p<or=0.05).

Results: Significantly increased RIs in the OA, CRA, LPCA, and MPCA were recorded. aCL, abeta2GPI, and LAC correlated significantly with increased RI in the CRA. SLE diagnosis significantly correlated with RI in the OA and PCAs. Significant relationship between age and RI in the CRA and LPCA was detected.

Conclusions: Retrobulbar resistance disturbances were detected in SLE patients by CDI. SLE diagnoses and presence of aPLs antibodies were associated with an increased resistivity index in ophthalmic and retino-choroidal vessels.