Role of Platelet Parameters on Neovascular Glaucoma: A Retrospective Case-Control Study in China

PLoS One. 2016 Dec 1;11(12):e0166893. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166893. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Purpose: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are two major sight-threatening diseases which may lead to neovascular glaucoma (NVG). The aim of this study was to explore the association between platelet parameters and NVG.

Methods: A total of 185 subjects were enrolled for the study from January, 2012 to December, 2015 at the Eye-ENT Hospital of Fudan University. Patients include those with NVG secondary to RVO (RVO group, n = 38), patients with NVG secondary to DR (DR group, n = 47), diabetics mellitus without retinopathy (DM group, n = 52), and healthy individuals (control group, n = 48). A complete ophthalmological examination including visual field examination, A-scan ultrasound, Fundus photography, and measurement of platelet parameters were performed for NVG subjects.

Results: There was no statistical difference in the mean age and gender among the RVO, DR, and control groups (p>0.05). The mean level of platelet distribution width (PDW) was higher (p<0.001) in the RVO group (15.16±2.13fl) and DR group (16.17±1.66fl) when compared with the control group (13.77±2.99fl). The mean plateletcrit (PCT) value of the RVO group (0.229±0.063%) was also higher (p = 0.049) than the control group (0.199±0.045). In the DR group, mean platelet volume (MPV) value (10.72±1.57fl) was significantly higher (p = 0.002) than the control group (9.75±0.89fl). A similar trend was observed when platelet parameters were compared among the 3 groups with respect to age. The mean level of PDW was significantly higher (p<0.001) in the DR group (16.17±1.66fl) compared with the DM group (13.80±3.32fl). Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that PDW (OR = 1.44, 95%CI = 1.149-1.805, p = 0.002) and MPV (OR = 1.503, 95%CI = 1.031-2.192, p = 0.034) were associated with the DR group, PDW (OR = 1.207, 95%CI = 1.010-1.443, p = 0.039) and PCT (OR = 1.663, 95%CI = 1.870-2.654, p = 0.036) were associated with the RVO group.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that increased PDW and MPV are associated with the NVG secondary to DR group, elevated PDW and PCT are associated with the RVO group. It indicates that platelets might be an important factor in the onset and/or development of NVG.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Platelets / pathology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • China
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / complications
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / diagnosis*
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / pathology
  • Female
  • Glaucoma, Neovascular / diagnosis*
  • Glaucoma, Neovascular / etiology
  • Glaucoma, Neovascular / pathology
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Mean Platelet Volume
  • Middle Aged
  • Platelet Count
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / complications
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / diagnosis*
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Biomarkers

Grants and funding

This research project was supported by the Funds for International Cooperation and Exchange of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81020108017), the National Health and Family Planning Commission, China (201302015), the National Major Scientific Equipment program, the Ministry of Science and Technology, China (2012YQ12008003), the State Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China (81430007), and the New Technology Research Project, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning (2013SY058).