Comparison of radial peripapillary capillary density results of individuals with and without Helicobacter pylori infection

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the radial peripapillary capillary density using optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with and without Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study comprised 52 patients (52 eyes: Group 1) and 38 patients (38 eyes: Group 2) with and without H. pylori infections, respectively. The radial peripapillary capillary density and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in 4 equal quadrants and 2 equal hemispheres in the peripapillary region were calculated using optical coherence tomography angiography. The optic nerve head parameters of the patients were also assessed. Results: The groups were similar in terms of age, gender, and the optic nerve head parameters. The radial peripapillary capillary densities in the superior hemisphere and quadrant were significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p=0.039 and p=0.028, respectively) and were positively correlated with the superior hemisphere’s retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Similarly, the radial peripapillary capillary densities in the inferior hemisphere and quadrant were also significantly lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p=0.03 and p=0.017, respectively) and were positively correlated with the inferior hemisphere’s retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the nasal and temporal quadrants were significantly decreased in Group 1 when compared to Group 2 (p=0.013 and p=0.022) and were positively correlated with the corresponding radial peripapillary capillary densities of the 2 quadrants (p=0.002 and p=0.022). Conclusion: The decreased radial peripapillary capillary density in the H. pylori-positive patients suggests that H. pylori may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of glaucoma.

摘要
研究目的：采用光学相干断层扫描血管成像（optical coherence tomography angiography, OCTA）评估幽门螺杆菌（Helicobacter pylori, H. pylori）阳性与阴性患者的视盘周围放射状毛细血管密度。
研究方法：本前瞻性横断面研究共纳入52例患者（52眼，组1）及38例患者（38眼，组2），分别为H. pylori阳性及阴性人群。通过OCTA计算视盘周围区域4个等分象限及2个等分半球的视盘周围放射状毛细血管密度与视网膜神经纤维层（retinal nerve fiber layer, RNFL）厚度，并评估患者的视神经乳头参数。
研究结果：两组患者在年龄、性别及视神经乳头参数方面无显著差异。组1上方半球及上方象限的视盘周围放射状毛细血管密度显著低于组2（分别为p=0.039及p=0.028），且与上方半球的RNFL厚度呈正相关（均p<0.001）。同样，组1下方半球及下方象限的视盘周围放射状毛细血管密度亦显著低于组2（分别为p=0.03及p=0.017），且与下方半球的RNFL厚度呈正相关（均p<0.001）。组1鼻侧及颞侧象限的RNFL厚度较组2显著降低（p=0.013及p=0.022），且与对应象限的视盘周围放射状毛细血管密度呈正相关（分别为p=0.002及p=0.022）。
研究结论：H. pylori阳性患者的视盘周围放射状毛细血管密度降低，提示H. pylori可能参与青光眼的发病机制。