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Purpose To quantify retinochoroidal vascular parameters using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCTA) in quiescent posterior and panuveitis. Methods In this cross-sectional study, subjects with quiescent posterior and panuveitis underwent fundus imaging using SS-OCTA (DRI Triton (R), Topcon, Japan). The metrics calculated were fractal dimension (FD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, retinal vascularity index (capillary density index-CDI), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI). Results We included 38 eyes of 20 patients, 9 males aged 34.7 +/- 10.5 years, 30 eyes of 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls, 10 females aged 33.6 +/- 8.5 years. Comparing patients with controls, we found a lower FD (p < .001), larger FAZ (p > .001), lower CDI in the superficial plexus (p = .019), and lower CVI (p < .001). We also found lower retinal and choroidal and thicknesses (p p = .025, respectively). Conclusions Patients with quiescent posterior and panuveitis have a significantly reduced retinochoroidal vascular density compared to healthy control subjects.

Purpose To quantify retinochoroidal vascular parameters using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCTA) in quiescent posterior and panuveitis. Methods In this cross-sectional study, subjects with quiescent posterior and panuveitis underwent fundus imaging using SS-OCTA (DRI Triton (R), Topcon, Japan). The metrics calculated were fractal dimension (FD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, retinal vascularity index (capillary density index-CDI), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI). Results We included 38 eyes of 20 patients, 9 males aged 34.7 +/- 10.5 years, 30 eyes of 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls, 10 females aged 33.6 +/- 8.5 years. Comparing patients with controls, we found a lower FD (p < .001), larger FAZ (p > .001), lower CDI in the superficial plexus (p = .019), and lower CVI (p < .001). We also found lower retinal and choroidal and thicknesses (p p = .025, respectively). Conclusions Patients with quiescent posterior and panuveitis have a significantly reduced retinochoroidal vascular density compared to healthy control subjects.

AIMS: Reactive dicarbonyl compounds, such as methylglyoxal (MGO), rise during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), particularly in (pre)diabetes. Fasting MGO levels are associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Yet, whether fasting or post-OGTT plasma MGO levels are associated with vascular disease in people with (pre)diabetes is unknown.METHODS: Subjects with normal glucose metabolism (n=1796; age: 57.9±8.2 years; 43.3% men), prediabetes (n=478; age: 61.6±7.6 years; 54.0% men) and T2DM (n=669; age: 63.0±7.5 years; 67.0% men) from the Maastricht Study underwent OGTTs. Plasma MGO levels were measured at baseline and 2h after OGTT by mass spectrometry. Prior CVD was established via questionnaire. CKD was reflected by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria; retinopathy was assessed using retinal photographs. Data were analyzed using logistic regression adjusted for gender, age, smoking, systolic blood pressure, total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio, triglycerides, HbA1c, BMI and medication use. Odd ratios (ORs) were expressed per standard deviation of LN-transformed MGO.RESULTS: Fasting and post-OGTT MGO levels were associated with higher ORs for albuminuria ≥30mg/24h [fasting: 1.12 (95% CI: 0.97-1.29); post-OGTT: 1.19 (1.01-1.41)], eGFR<60mL/min/1.73 m2 [fasting: 1.58 (95% CI: 1.38-1.82), post-OGTT: 1.57 (1.34-1.83)] and retinopathy [fasting: 1.59 (95% CI: 1.01-2.53), post-OGTT: 1.38 (0.77-2.48)]. No associations with prior CVD were found.CONCLUSION: Fasting and post-OGTT MGO levels were associated with microvascular disease, but not prior CVD. Thus, therapeutic strategies directed at lowering MGO levels may prevent microvascular disease.

Purpose To compare the characteristics of eyes that had manual vs. automated segmentation of choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods All patients with CNVM underwent OCTA using the Zeiss Angioplex Cirrus 5000. Slabs of the avascular outer retina, outer retina to choriocapillaris (ORCC) region and choriocapillaris were generated. Manual segmentation was done when there were significant segmentation artifacts. Presence of activity of CNVM was adjudged by the presence of subretinal fluid (SRF) on structural OCT and was compared to activity detected on en face OCTA slabs based on well-defined criteria. Results Eighty-one eyes of 81 patients were recruited of which manual segmentation was required in 46 (57%). Eyes with automated segmentation had significantly more CNVM in the ORCC (75%) whereas those with manual segmentation had deeper CNVM (sub-RPE = 22%, intra-PED = 22%) (p<0.001). Twenty eyes (25%) were found to have active CNVM on both the structural OCT and OCTA while an additional 19 eyes were presumed to have active CNVM on OCTA alone. There was only modest concordance between disease activity detected using structural OCT and OCTA (Kappa = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.30 to 0.64). Conclusions Manual segmentation of OCTA is required in more than 50% eyes with CNVM and this progressively increases with increasing depth of CNVM location from the ORCC to below the RPE. There is moderate concordance between OCTA and structural OCT in determining CNVM activity.

Objectives To update the knowledge on employment and the role of mastery, a personal factor reflecting the level of control over life and disease, among Dutch patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to general population subjects. Methods Data of persons ≤65 years participating in a Dutch cross-sectional multicentre study on social participation in AS were used. Being employed was the main outcome. Standardised employment ratios (SERs) were calculated using indirect standardisation after adjusting for age, gender and education and repeated after stratification by symptom duration tertiles. Modified Poisson regressions were performed to understand the role of mastery (Pearlin's scale) independent of sociodemographic and health-related factors. Results 214 patients and 470 controls (127 (59.3%) and 323 (68.7%) males; mean age 48.3 (SD 10.4) and 39.3 (SD 12.7) years, respectively) completed an online questionnaire. SER (95%CI) in patients was 0.83 (0.69-0.98); 0.84 (0.67-1.04) in males; 0.83 (0.59-1.07) in females. Adjusted absolute employment of patients compared to controls was 69% versus 84%; 73% versus 86% for males; 62% versus 78% for females. In multivariable analyses stratified for patients and controls, mastery was associated with being employed in patients, but only in those with low education. In controls, not mastery but higher education was associated with being employed. Conclusion Our study reveals that patients suffering from AS compared to population controls are less likely to be employed. Mastery is an important personal factor associated with employment in patients but not in controls. Interventions aimed at improving employment of patients with AS should likely account for mastery.