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. 2023 Jun 30;11(9):316.
doi: 10.21037/atm-22-3381. Epub 2023 Apr 10.

Association between localized retinal nerve fiber layer defects in nonglaucomatous eyes and metabolic syndrome: a propensity score-matched analysis

Jiwon Baek  1 , Younhea Jung  2 , Kyoung Ohn  2 , Sam Young Jung  2 , Si Eun Oh  3 , Jung Il Moon  2
Affiliations

Association between localized retinal nerve fiber layer defects in nonglaucomatous eyes and metabolic syndrome: a propensity score-matched analysis

Jiwon Baek et al. Ann Transl Med. .

Abstract

Background: We investigated the association between metabolic syndrome and localized retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects in nonglaucomatous subjects.

Methods: We examined 20,385 adults who visited the Health Promotion Center of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital between May 2015 and April 2016. After excluding those with known glaucoma or glaucomatous optic discs, subjects with and without localized RNFL defects were 1:5 propensity score matched. Metabolic syndrome components, including central obesity, elevated triglyceride, reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, elevated blood pressure (BP), and elevated fasting glucose, were compared between two groups. We performed logistic regression to investigate the association between RNFL defects and each component of metabolic syndrome and the number of metabolic syndrome components.

Results: Subjects with RNFL defects showed higher waist-to-hip ratios, systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), fasting blood glucose, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels than did those without RNFL defects both before and after propensity score matching. The number of metabolic syndrome components was significantly greater in those with RNFL defects (1.66±1.35) than in those without (1.27±1.32, P<0.01). In multivariate logistic regression, the odds ratio (OR) of RNFL defects was significantly increased in subjects with central obesity [OR =1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-2.13], elevated BP (OR =1.50, 95% CI: 1.09-2.05), and an elevated fasting glucose level (OR =1.42, 95% CI: 1.03-1.97). An increased number of metabolic syndrome components was associated with a higher risk of RNFL defects.

Conclusions: Localized RNFL defects in nonglaucomatous subjects are associated with metabolic syndrome components, including central obesity, elevated BP, and an elevated fasting glucose level, suggesting that comorbid metabolic syndrome should be considered when evaluating subjects with RNFL defects.

Keywords: Retinal nerve fiber layer defect (RNFL defect); glaucoma; metabolic syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://atm.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/atm-22-3381/coif). YJ reports that this work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea Government (MSIT) (No. 2021R1H1A2095534). The funder supported article processing charges. Payment was made to her institution, the Catholic University of Korea. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Localized retinal nerve fiber layer defect.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Selection of study subjects.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Number of metabolic syndrome components according to presence of retinal nerve fiber layer defect.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • The retinal ganglion cells in metabolic syndrome.
    Pappelis K, Chatziralli I, Georgiadis O, Theodossiadis GP, Theodossiadis PG, Jansonius NM. Pappelis K, et al. Ann Transl Med. 2024 Feb 1;12(1):2. doi: 10.21037/atm-23-1796. Epub 2023 Sep 4. Ann Transl Med. 2024. PMID: 38304912 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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