Analysis of Systemic Factors Influencing Choriocapillaris Flow Density in Diabetic Retinopathy Patients
10.21561/jor.2025.10.1.38
- Author:
A Young KIM
1
;
Jeong Yeub KIM
;
Seong Gyu KIM
;
Geun Woo LEE
;
So Hyung LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:
Journal of Retina
2025;10(1):38-46
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who were diagnosed with DR.The choriocapillaris flow area density in the macular region (6-mm diameter circle) was measured with OCT-A. Patients were divided into a higher flow group and a lower flow group according to the median value of the choriocapillaris flow area density. Systemic factors were compared between the two groups, and their relation to the choriocapillaris flow area density was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation analysis.
Results:Sixty-five patients (mean age: 58.5 ± 10.2 years) were included. Compared to the higher flow group, the lower flow group represented a significantly longer duration of DM and a higher ratio of proliferative DR (p = 0.048, p = 0.032). The lower flow group also showed more frequent chronic kidney disease and lower glomerular filtration rates (p = 0.022, p = 0.012). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that proliferative DR ratio and chronic kidney disease presence were significantly associated with lower choriocapillaris flow area density (p = 0.032, p = 0.015). Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that longer DM duration and lower glomerular filtration rate were correlated with lower choriocapillaris flow area density (p = 0.001, p = 0.008).
Conclusions:Low choriocapillaris flow area density may be predicted in DR patients when DR is more severe or chronic kidney disease is present. Therefore, evaluation and continuous monitoring of kidney function in DM patients may be helpful for DR control.
