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Effect of Obesity on Retinal Integrity in African Americans and Caucasian Americans With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Authors :
Jacob Rube
Madeline Bross
Christopher Bernitsas
Melody Hackett
Fen Bao
Evanthia Bernitsas
Source :
Frontiers in Neurology, Vol 12 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2021.

Abstract

Objective: To study the effect of obesity on retinal structures in African Americans (AAs) and Caucasian Americans (CAs) with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).Methodology: About 136 patients with RRMS without history of optic neuritis were divided into two groups, based on body mass index (BMI): 67 obese (40 AA, 27 CA, mean BMI ± SD: 36.7 ± 5.8), and 69 non-obese (23 AA, 46 CA, mean BMI ± SD: 24.0 ± 3.1). The peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness was quantified by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and was segmented into quadrant thickness: superior (S), inferior (I), temporal (T), and nasal (N). Papillomacular bundle (PMB) thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell + inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), inner nuclear (INL), outer plexiform (OPL), outer nuclear (ONL), and total macular (TMV) volumes were obtained.Results: Obesity was associated with lower T thickness (58.54 ± 15.2 vs. 61.9 12.4, p = 0.044), higher INL (0.98 ± 0.07 vs. 0.96 ± 0.06, p = 0.034), and lower RNFL (0.77 ± 0.14 vs. 0.82 ± 0.12, p = 0.009) volumes. Obese AA had significantly thinner T (58.54 ± 15.19 vs. 61.91 ± 12.39, p = 0.033), N (68.94 ± 2.7 vs. 77.94 ± 3.3, p = 0.044), and TMV (8.15 ± 0.07 vs. 8.52 ± 0.09, p = 0.003), RNFL (0.74 ± 0.02 vs. 0.82 ± 0.02, p = 0.013), OPL (0.76 ± 0.01 vs. 0.79 ± 0.1, p = 0.050), ONL (1.68 ± 0.031 vs. 1.79 ± 0.038, p = 0.026), and GCIPL (1.78 ± 0.04 vs. 1.9 ± 0.05, p = 0.038) compared to obese CA. Among patients with non-obesity, the ONL was significantly lower in AA (1.78 ± 0.04 vs. 1.9 ± 0.05, p < 0.001).Conclusions: Obesity is associated with retinal structure abnormalities in patients with RRMS. Its impact might be more prominent in AA than CA. Large longitudinal studies are needed to validate our findings.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
16642295
Volume :
12
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Neurology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.0afee07a9241a681103b06446d687f
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.743592