Ultra-widefield imaging accurately predicts diabetic retinopathy worsening over time: JAMA

USA: Baseline retinal nonperfusion and the presence of peripheral findings on ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWF-FA) were tied to a higher future risk of disease worsening in diabetic retinopathy, researchers state in a recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology. 

Ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging is known to improve the ability to identify peripheral diabetic retinopathy (DR) lesions versus standard imaging. However, it is not known if the detection of predominantly peripheral lesions (PPLs) is better for predicting the rates of disease worsening over time. To fill this knowledge gap, Dennis M. Marcus, Southeast Retina Center, Augusta, Georgia, and colleagues aimed to determine whether PPLs identified on UWF imaging are associated with increased disease worsening beyond the risk associated with baseline Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS) score in a cohort study.

The prospective, multicenter, longitudinal observational study was conducted at 37 US and Canadian sites. The enrollment of 388 participants was done between February and December 2015. 200° UWF-color images were obtained and graded for DRSS at a reading center at baseline and annually through 4 years. Evaluation of baseline UWF-color and UWF-fluorescein angiography (FA) image was done for PPL presence. Data analysis was done from May 2020 to June 2022. 

Predominantly peripheral lesions were defined as DR lesions with a greater extent outside vs inside the 7 standard ETDRS fields. Disease worsening defined as worsening 2 steps or more on the DRSS or receipt of DR treatment was the primary outcome. Analyses were adjusted for baseline DRSS score and correlation between 2 study eyes of the same patient. 

The researchers identified no association with color PPL, however, the presence of FA PPL was tied to a greater risk of disease worsening over 4 years, irrespective of baseline DRSS score. 

"These findings indicate that the use of UWF-FA to evaluate retinas peripheral to standard ETDRS fields may improve the ability to predict disease worsening in NPDR eyes," the researchers wrote. "These findings support UWF-FA use for future DR staging systems and clinical care for accurate determination of prognosis in NPDR eyes."

Reference:

Marcus DM, Silva PS, Liu D, et al. Association of Predominantly Peripheral Lesions on Ultra-Widefield Imaging and the Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy Worsening Over Time. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online August 18, 2022. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.3131