Post-Blink Blur Time-A Simple Test to Detect Dry Eye-Related Visual Disturbances.

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) stands out as one of the most common eye conditions encountered in clinical settings. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic ability and feasibility of post-blink blur time (PBBT) in detecting patients with DED symptoms. Methods: The study included 200 subjects, 100 with and 100 without DED symptoms defined by the Schein questionnaire, who underwent assessment of DED signs [visual acuity, PBBT, conjunctival hyperemia, lid-parallel conjunctival folds-LIPCOF, tear film break-up time-TBUT, fluorescein corneal staining, and meibum score]. Results: DED subjects had a lower PBBT than controls (p < 0.001), with subjective (6 (1-45) s vs. 8 (1-70) s) and objective (6 (2-33) s vs. 8 (2-50) s) PBBT measurements being similar between repeats. The correlations between subjective and objective PBBT measurements were significantly positive (R = 0.873, p < 0.001). Subjective PBBT was negatively related to the Schein questionnaire (R = -0.217, p = 0.002), conjunctival hyperemia (R = -0.105, p = 0.035), and corneal staining (R = -0.153, p = 0.031), while positively related to the TBUT (R = 0.382, p < 0.001) and meibum score (R = 0.106, p = 0.033). Logistic regression analysis showed DED symptoms were significantly associated with subjective PBBT (AOR 0.91, p = 0.001), TBUT (AOR 0.79, p < 0.001), meibum score (AOR 0.65, p = 0.008), LIPCOF (AOR 1.18, p = 0.002) and corneal staining (AOR 1.14, p = 0.028). Conclusions: Subjective self-reported PBBT is a reliable and non-invasive screening test for evaluating time-wise changes in visual acuity and detecting a tear film dysfunction.

Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, Higher Blood Pressure, and Infrequent Fundus Examinations Have a Higher Risk of Sight-Threatening Retinopathy.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common cause of preventable blindness among working-age adults. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the regularity of fundus examinations and risk factor control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) on the prevalence and severity of DR. Methods: One hundred and fifty-six T2DM patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Results: In this sample, the prevalence of DR was 46.2%. Patients with no DR mainly did not examine the fundus regularly, while most patients with mild/moderate nonproliferative DR (NPDR) underwent a fundus examination regularly. In 39.7% of patients, this was the first fundus examination due to diabetes, and 67% of them had sight-threatening DR (STDR). Diabetes duration (p = 0.007), poor glycemic control (HbA1c) (p = 0.006), higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p = 0.002) were the main predictors of DR. However, the impact of SBP (AOR 1.07, p = 0.003) and DBP (AOR 1.13, p = 0.005) on DR development remained significant even after adjustment for diabetes duration and HbA1c. The DR prevalence was higher in patients with higher blood pressure (≥130/80 mmHg) than in those with target blood pressure (<130/80 mmHg) (p = 0.043). None of the patients with target blood pressure had STDR. The peaks in SBP and DBP were observed in T2DM with DR and the first fundus examination due to diabetes. Conclusions: In this T2DM sample, DR prevalence was very high and strongly related to blood pressure and a lack of regular fundus examinations. These results indicate the necessity of establishing systematic DR screening in routine diabetes care and targeting blood pressure levels according to T2DM guidelines.

Personality dimensions and treatment adherence among glaucoma patients: the role of self-transcendence.

BACKGROUND: Cloninger's psychobiosocial model of personality proposes that consistent patterns of health behavior are determined by the complex interaction of different neurobiological processes of the patient's temperament and character dimensions. Poor medication adherence is a pervasive problem among glaucoma patients and can lead to increased morbidity and disability. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between Cloninger's personality dimensions and medication adherence among glaucoma patients. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted among 113 primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. The treatment adherence was assessed through a valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire, the Culig Adherence Scale (CAS). Personality dimensions were evaluated using the abbreviated version of the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-140). Statistical analyses were performed using TIBCO Statistica 14.0.1. The study protocol was registered in the DRKS - German Clinical Trials Register; (DRKS-ID: DRKS00022081). RESULTS: According to CAS, only 39.8% of patients were adherent to glaucoma treatment. Adherence was significantly negatively related only to the character dimension of Self-Transcendence (p < 0.05). No other TCI-140 dimension was significantly associated with medication adherence (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that POAG patients with higher scores on the Self-Transcendent personality dimension are more likely to experience difficulties adhering to medication regimen. The study highlights the importance of a holistic approach to glaucoma treatment, which takes into account not only the biological aspects of disease but also the psychosocial factors that influence patient behavior. Healthcare providers may need to consider glaucoma patients' personality dimensions, beliefs and values when developing treatment plans and strategies to improve medication adherence.

In Association with Other Risk Factors, Smoking Is the Main Predictor for Lower Transcutaneous Oxygen Pressure in Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) significantly increases the risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD), and diabetes is the leading cause of nontraumatic amputations. This study investigated the risk factors for transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) in T2DM, a noninvasive method to quantify skin oxygenation and the underlying microvascular circulation. The study included 119 T2DM patients (91 male/28 female). TcPO2 measurements were conducted with the Tina TCM4 Series transcutaneous monitor (Radiometer, Copenhagen, Sweden) and skin electrodes. Patients with TcPO2 < 40 mmHg were younger (p = 0.001), had significantly higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = 0.023), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (p = 0.013), fasting plasma glucose (fPG) (p = 0.038), total cholesterol (p = 0.006), LDL cholesterol (p = 0.004), and had more frequent smoking habits (p = 0.001) than those with TcPO2 ≥ 40 mmHg. The main predictors for the TcPO2 value (R2 = 0.211) obtained via stepwise regression analysis were age, smoking, SBP, HbA1c, fPG, and total and LDL cholesterol. Among all the listed predictors, smoking, HbA1c, and LDL cholesterol were found to be the most significant, with negative parameter estimates of -3.051310 (p = 0.0007), -2.032018 (p = 0.0003), and -2.560353 (p = 0.0046). The results of our study suggest that in association with other risk factors, smoking is the main predictor for lower TcPO2 in T2DM.

Comparison of vitamin K and non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants and the bleeding frequency in the emergency department.

INTRODUCTION: Safety studies of anticoagulant therapy have so far been conducted on many subjects in controlled conditions (i.e., clinically monitored) and demonstrated the noninferiority of new ones over old anticoagulant drugs. Data on the propositions for the presence of symptoms and signs of bleeding among various anticoagulants in the emergency department indicate that these data do not match the data published so far. AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the differences in the frequency of bleeding and bleeding-related symptoms as a reason for emergency department attendance in patients on anticoagulant therapy. METHODS: The study included patients from the emergency department of University Hospital for one year, who were on anticoagulant therapy and who met the inclusion criteria. Out of a total of 595 patients, 409 were on warfarin (68.74%), and the rest were taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC): dabigatran 71 (11.93%), rivaroxaban 66 (11.09%) and apixaban 49 (8.23%). RESULTS: Out of 409 patients taking warfarin, 34.4% were adequately anticoagulated with the frequency of bleeding 13.7%, while in 57.2% of patients, PT INR was higher than the reference values with the frequency of bleeding 15.0%. A comparison between all DOAC groups and adequately anticoagulated warfarin patients in the frequency of bleeding and bleeding-related symptoms as a reason for emergency attendance yielded a difference that was marginally statistically significant (Pearson Chi-Square = 7.554, p = 0.052). CONCLUSION: Monitoring the frequency of bleeding and bleeding-related symptoms in patients on oral anticoagulant therapy as a reason for emergency department attendance may be a new safety and efficacy factor in real-life patient scenarios.

Risk Factors for Ankle Brachial Index and Carotid Artery Stenosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) significantly increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Ankle brachial index (ABI) and carotid artery stenosis are non-invasive indicators of generalized atherosclerosis. This study aimed to explore the risk factors for ABI and carotid artery stenosis and discover which factors simultaneously influence both conditions in T2DM. The study included a total of 101 patients with T2DM. ABI was performed via Doppler ultrasound, and both common carotid arteries were examined via ultrasound to obtain the percentage of carotid artery stenosis. A negative correlation was noted between the ABI and the percentage of carotid artery stenosis (p = 0.043). ABI correlated significantly negatively with waist circumference (p = 0.031), total cholesterol (p = 0.003), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (p = 0.003), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.017), whereas the percentage of carotid artery stenosis correlated with the smoking habit (p = 0.017) and CRP (p = 0.042). The best model for predicting the ABI value (R2 = 0.195) obtained from stepwise regression analysis included waist circumference, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and CRP, while the best model for the percentage of the carotid artery stenosis (R2 = 0.112) included smoking and CRP. CRP influenced the ABI value with a negative parameter estimate of -0.008962 (p = 0.053) and the percentage of the carotid artery stenosis with a positive parameter estimate of 0.443655 (p = 0.006) relative to a one-unit change of it, presenting the negatively significant impact of CRP on the association between carotid artery stenosis and low ABI. Our results suggest that CRP is the most important risk factor that connects ABI and carotid artery stenosis, which are important non-invasive indicators of generalized atherosclerosis in T2DM.

The Impact of Modern Anti-Diabetic Treatment on Endothelial Progenitor Cells.

Diabetes is one of the leading chronic diseases globally with a significant impact on mortality. This condition is associated with chronic microvascular and macrovascular complications caused by vascular damage. Recently, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) raised interest due to their regenerative properties. EPCs are mononuclear cells that are derived from different tissues. Circulating EPCs contribute to regenerating the vessel's intima and restoring vascular function. The ability of EPCs to repair vascular damage depends on their number and functionality. Diabetic patients have a decreased circulating EPC count and impaired EPC function. This may at least partially explain the increased risk of diabetic complications, including the increased cardiovascular risk in these patients. Recent studies have confirmed that many currently available drugs with proven cardiovascular benefits have beneficial effects on EPC count and function. Among these drugs are also medications used to treat different types of diabetes. This manuscript aims to critically review currently available evidence about the ways anti-diabetic treatment affects EPC biology and to provide a broader context considering cardiovascular complications. The therapies that will be discussed include lifestyle adjustments, metformin, sulphonylureas, gut glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor analogs, sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors, and insulin.

Relationship between ß-Cell Autoantibodies and Their Combination with Anthropometric and Metabolic Components and Microvascular Complications in Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults.

AIMS: Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between three autoantibodies and their combination with anthropometric and metabolic components and microvascular complications in patients with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). METHODS: Our study included 189 LADA patients divided into four subgroups according to the autoantibodies present: glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADA) only; zinc transporter-8 autoantibodies (ZnT8A)+GADA; insulinoma-associated-2 autoantibodies (IA-2)+GADA; and ZnT8+IA-2+GADA. RESULTS: Compared to GADA positivity only, patients with ZnT8+GADA positivity and ZnT8+IA-2+GADA positivity had a shorter diabetes duration and lower body mass index (BMI); patients with ZnT8+GADA positivity were younger and showed an increase in glomerular filtration rate, while those with ZnT8+IA-2+GADA positivity had lower C-peptide and lower insulin resistance measured with HOMA2-IR. In a multiple regression analysis, ZnT8 positivity was associated with lower BMI (p = 0.0024), female sex (p = 0.0005), and shorter duration of disease (p = 0.0034), while IA-2 positivity was associated with lower C-peptide levels (p = 0.0034) and shorter diabetes duration (p = 0.02). No association between antibody positivity and microvascular complications of diabetes, including retinopathy, neuropathy, and microalbuminuria, as well as with variables of glucose control and ß-cell function were found. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that ZnT8 and IA-2 autoantibodies are present in a significant number of LADA patients and associated with clinical and metabolic characteristics resembling classic type 1 diabetes. Due to increased LADA prevalence, earlier identification of patients requiring frequent monitoring with the earlier intensification of insulin therapy might be of special clinical interest.

Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure Are Independent Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes and represents the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for DR in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with and without diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHODS: A total of 160 patients with T2DM were included in the study. Photodocumented retinopathy status was determined according to the EURODIAB protocol. Renal function was determined using creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). Binary univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the main predictors of DR. RESULTS: The prevalence of DR in this studied sample was 46.3%. No significant correlation was observed between DR and age, body mass index, serum lipids, and renal function. Binary logistic regression analysis (no DR/DR) showed that longer diabetes duration (p = 0.008), poor glycemic control (HbA1c) (p = 0.008), higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.003) were the main predictors of DR in patients with T2DM. However, the influence of systolic blood pressure (AOR = 1.06, p = 0.004) and diastolic blood pressure (AOR = 1.12, p = 0.007) on DR development remained significant even after adjustment for diabetes duration and HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that systolic and diastolic blood pressure are independent risk factors for DR in patients with T2DM.

Human complement component C3 N-glycome changes in type 1 diabetes complications.

Aim: Changes in N-glycosylation have been described in numerous diseases and are being considered as biomarkers of ongoing pathological condition. Previous studies demonstrated the interrelation of N-glycosylation and type 1 diabetes (T1D), particularly linking serum N-glycan changes with complications accompanying the disease. Moreover, the role of complement component C3 in diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy has been implicated, and C3 N-glycome was found to be altered in young T1D patients. Therefore, we investigated associations between C3 N-glycan profiles and albuminuria and retinopathy accompanying T1D, as well as glycosylation connection with other known T1D complication risk factors. Research design and methods: Complement component C3 N-glycosylation profiles have been analyzed from 189 serum samples of T1D patients (median age 46) recruited at a Croatian hospital centre. Using our recently developed high-throughput method, relative abundances of all six of the C3 glycopeptides have been determined. Assessment of C3 N-glycome interconnection with T1D complications, hypertension, smoking status, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), glycaemic control and duration of the disease was done using linear modelling. Results: Significant changes of C3 N-glycome in severe albuminuria accompanying type 1 diabetes were observed, as well as in T1D subjects with hypertension. All except one of the C3 glycopeptides proved to be associated with measured HbA1c levels. One of the glycoforms was shown to be changed in non-proliferative T1D retinopathy. Smoking and eGFR showed no effect on C3 N-glycome. Furthermore, C3 N-glycosylation profile was shown to be independent of disease duration. Conclusion: This study empowered the role of C3 N-glycosylation in T1D, showing value in distinguishing subjects with different diabetic complications. Being independent of the disease duration, these changes may be associated with the disease onset, making C3 N-glycome a potential novel marker of the disease progression and severity.

Short-Term Effect of Conventional Versus Accelerated Corneal Cross-Linking Protocol on Corneal Geography and Stability.

Purpose: To determine the 6-month effect of conventional (CXL30) and accelerated cross-linking with a UVA intensity of 9 mW/cm2 (CXL10) on corneal stability and to investigate whether there was a difference in ABCD grading system parameters regarding the two different procedures. Methods: Twenty-eight eyes of 28 patients with a documented keratoconus (KN) progression were included. Patients were selected to undergo either epi off CXL30 or CXL10. At the baseline and the follow-up visits after one (V1), three (V2), and six months (V3), the patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination and corneal tomography. Results: In the CXL30 group, all the parameters from the ABCD grading system significantly changed from baseline to V3; parameter A decreased (p = 0.048), B and C increased (p = 0.010, p < 0.001), and D decreased (p < 0.001). In the CXL10 group, there were no changes in parameters A (p = 0.247) and B (p = 0.933), though parameter C increased (p = 0.001) and D decreased (p < 0.001). After an initial decline after one month, visual acuity (VA) recovered on V2 and V3 (p < 0.001), and median maximal keratometry (Kmax) decreased in both groups (p = 0.001, p = 0.035). In the CXL30 group, there were significant changes in other parameters; average pachymetric progression index (p < 0.001), Ambrósio relational thickness maximum (ARTmax) (p = 0.008), front and back mean keratometry (p < 0.001), pachymetry apex (PA) (p < 0.001), and front elevation (p = 0.042). However, in the CXL10 group, there were significant changes only in ARTmax (p = 0.019) and PA (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Both epi-off CXL protocols showed similar short-term efficacy in improving VA and Kmax, halting the progression of KN, and both similarly changed tomographic parameters. However, the conventional protocol modified the cornea more significantly.

Postoperative Hyperuricemia-A Risk Factor in Elective Cardiosurgical Patients.

Hyperuricemia is a well-known cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of our study was to investigate the connection between postoperative hyperuricemia and poor outcomes after elective cardiac surgery compared to patients without postoperative hyperuricemia. In this retrospective study, a total of 227 patients after elective cardiac surgery were divided into two groups: 42 patients with postoperative hyperuricemia (mean age 65.14 ± 8.9 years) and a second group of 185 patients without it (mean age 62.67 ± 7.45 years). The time spent on mechanical ventilation (hours) and in the intensive care unit (days) were taken as the primary outcome measures while the secondary measure comprised postoperative complications. The preoperative patient characteristics were similar. Most of the patients were men. The EuroSCORE value of assessing the risk was not different between the groups nor the comorbidities. Among the most common comorbidities was hypertension, seen in 66% of all patients (69% in patients with postoperative hyperuricemia and 63.7% in those without it). A group of patients with postoperative hyperuricemia had a prolonged time of treatment in the intensive care unit (p = 0.03), as well as a prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation (p < 0.01) and a significantly higher incidence of the following postoperative complications: circulatory instability and/or low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) (χ2 = 4486, p < 0.01), renal failure and/or continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF's) (χ2 = 10,241, p < 0.001), and mortality (χ2 = 5.22, p < 0.01). Compared to patients without postoperative hyperuricemia, elective cardiac patients with postoperative hyperuricemia have prolonged postoperative treatment in intensive care units, extended durations of mechanically assisted ventilation, and a higher incidence of postoperative circulatory instability, renal failure, and death.

Prediabetes, Non-Dipping Profile and Hypertension-A Recipe for Increased Arterial Stiffness.

BACKGROUND: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a known predictor of target organ damage, cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. The aim of this study was to compare the PWV values in subjects with prediabetes, a non-dipper profile and arterial hypertension with their values in healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 301 subjects, aged 40-70 years, without diabetes mellitus were included in this cross-sectional study (150 with prediabetes). They underwent a 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Subjects were divided into three hypertension groups (A = healthy, B = controlled hypertension, C = uncontrolled hypertension). Dipping status was determined according to ABPM results, and PWV was measured by an oscillometric device. Prediabetes was defined as having 2 separate fasting plasma glucose (FPG) measurements between 5.6 and 6.9 mmol/L. RESULTS: The highest PWV values were found in group C (9.60 ± 1.34 vs. 8.46 ± 1.01 in group B vs. 7.79 ± 1.10 in group A; p < 0.001), in subjects with prediabetes (8.98 ± 1.31 m/s vs. 8.26 ± 1.22 m/s; p < 0.001) and in prediabetic non-dippers among age groups (p = 0.05). In the multivariate regression model age, blood pressure, nocturnal indices and FPG were shown as independent predictors of PWV values. CONCLUSION: Significantly higher PWV values were found in subjects with prediabetes and non-dipping profiles in all three examined hypertension groups.

N-glycosylation of serum proteins in adult type 1 diabetes mellitus exposes further changes compared to children at the disease onset.

OBJECTIVE: Previously we have shown that plasma protein N-glycosylation is changed in children at the onset of type 1 diabetes. In this study, we aim to identify N-glycan changes in adults with T1DM, compare them to those in children, and investigate their associations with disease duration, complications, glycaemic status, and smoking. METHODS: Serum protein N-glycans from 200 adults with type 1 diabetes and 298 healthy controls were analysed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and divided into 39 directly measured glycan groups from which 16 derived traits were calculated. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, subjects with type 1 diabetes showed differences in 19 glycan groups and a decrease in monogalactosylated, an increase in digalactosylated, monosialylated, and antennary fucosylated derived traits, from which changes in monogalactosylation and seven directly measured traits overlapped with previously reported in children. Changes in four directly measured and two derived traits previously seen in children were not detected in adults. HbA1c was positively associated with sialylated and highly branched structures, whereas N-glycome was not influenced by disease duration or diabetic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest potential N-glycome involvement in different stages of type 1 diabetes, including processes underlying its development, the disease itself, as well as those occurring after disease establishment.

Meibomian Gland Assessment in Routine Ophthalmology Practice.

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the connection between meibomian gland (MG) excreta quantity and quality after MG expression (MGX), dry eye disease (DED) symptoms, and objective DED signs and to clarify the relationship between dry eye and MG function in DED pathophysiology. The study included 200 subjects, 100 with and 100 without dry eye symptoms. Schein questionnaire was used to determine the severity of dry eye symptoms and self-reported skin type for facial skin dryness self-evaluation. Objective dry eye signs were assessed by monitoring conjunctival hyperemia, lid parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF), tear break-up time (TBUT), fluorescein surface staining and digital MGX. Subjects with DED symptoms had significantly lower MG quantity scores than healthy controls (p < 0.001). Meibum quality and quantity scores significantly correlated with female gender (p = 0.002), Schein questionnaire score (p < 0.001), fluorescein corneal staining score (p = 0.019), self-reported skin type (p < 0.001), TBUT (p < 0.001) and LIPCOF (p = 0.041). After adjustment for age and gender in a logistic regression analysis, dry eye was independently and significantly associated with self-reported skin type (OR 0.73, p < 0.001), LIPCOF (OR 1.04, p < 0.001), fluorescein corneal staining (OR 1.05, p = 0.019), TBUT (OR 0.77, p < 0.001) and meibum quantity score (OR 0.59, p < 0.001). Dry eye symptoms and objective signs correlated well in this study. MGX discriminated between the subjects with and without DED symptoms and was associated with other objective DED signs. Results showed a significant association between meibum quality and quantity, MG function, DED and facial skin dryness self-perception. This paper established a correlation between dry eye symptoms caused by MG dysfunction and dry skin, which can help general health practitioners consider dry eye as a cause of chronic eye complaints with patients who report dry skin.

Dry eye and dry skin - is there a connection?

AIM: To enquire whether patients with dry eye symptoms also report dry skin, whether their perception could be corroborated with objective measurement, and whether dry eye disease might be suspected based on patients' complaints. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 50 subjects, 25 with and 25 without dry eye symptoms. Schein questionnaire was used to determine the severity of dry eye symptoms. Ocular signs were assessed by monitoring conjunctival hyperemia, ocular surface staining, meibomian gland expression, tear film lipid layer thickness, tear break-up time, lid parallel conjunctival folds, Schirmer test, and meibometry. Skin dryness was assessed by noting patients' self-perception of their facial skin dryness and measured by sebumeter. RESULTS: Subjects without dry eye symptoms had self-reported oilier facial skin than those with dry eye symptoms (p < .001). Sebumetry scores measured on the forehead and cheek were significantly higher in subjects without dry eye symptoms than dry eye subjects (p = .003). After adjustment for age and gender in a logistic regression analysis, dry eye was independently and significantly associated with dry skin (AOR 0.69, p = .040), higher LIPCOF score of both eyes (AOR 2.28, p = .028), lower sebumetry score of the forehead (AOR 0.98, p = .041) and cheek (AOR 0.98, p = .041), and shorter TBUT score after gland expression (AOR 0.90, p = .018). CONCLUSION: This study showed that ocular dryness was subjectively and objectively positively correlated to facial skin dryness. Patients reliably described their skin condition. People with dry facial skin also had drier eyes.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Hand-Held Fundus Camera and Artificial Intelligence in Diabetic Retinopathy Screening.

Our study aimed to assess the role of a hand-held fundus camera and artificial intelligence (AI)-based grading system in diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening and determine its diagnostic accuracy in detecting DR compared with clinical examination and a standard fundus camera. This cross-sectional instrument validation study, as a part of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Project, included 160 patients (320 eyes) with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). After the standard indirect slit-lamp fundoscopy, each patient first underwent fundus photography with a standard 45° camera VISUCAM Zeiss and then with a hand-held camera TANG (Shanghai Zhi Tang Health Technology Co., Ltd.). Two retina specialists independently graded the images taken with the standard camera, while the images taken with the hand-held camera were graded using the DeepDR system and an independent IDF ophthalmologist. The three screening methods did not differ in detecting moderate/severe nonproliferative and proliferative DR. The area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, kappa (ĸ) agreement, diagnostic odds ratio, and diagnostic effectiveness for a hand-held camera compared to clinical examination were 0.921, 89.1%, 100%, 100%, 91.4%, infinity, 0.11, 0.86, 936.48, and 94.9%, while compared to the standard fundus camera were 0.883, 83.2%, 100%, 100%, 87.3%, infinity, 0.17, 0.78, 574.6, and 92.2%. The results of our study suggest that fundus photography with a hand-held camera and AI-based grading system is a short, simple, and accurate method for the screening and early detection of DR, comparable to clinical examination and fundus photography with a standard camera.

Nephroprotective Properties of the Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) and Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists.

Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease, and about 30-40% of patients with diabetes will develop kidney disease. Incretin hormones have received attention during the past three decades not only as a pharmacotherapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but also for their cardiorenometabolic effects. The main incretins are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Additional to the pancreas, receptors for GLP-1 are widely distributed in various organs, causing positive effects on endothelial function and vascular atherogenesis. Along with glycemic control and weight reduction, GLP-1 receptor agonists also strongly improve cardiovascular and renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Recently, a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Compared to GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide, dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide showed a superior reduction in hemoglobin A1c and body weight. Preliminary results also suggest that tirzepatide improves kidney outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes with increased cardiovascular risk. In this review, we present the nephroprotective properties of dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists as a new drug to treat type 2 diabetes.

BLOOD PRESSURE IS ASSOCIATED WITH DIABETIC RETINOPATHY IN TYPE 1 BUT NOT IN TYPE 2 DIABETES.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and to determine the differences between these two types of diabetes. This cross-sectional study included 84 patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and 107 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Ophthalmologic retinal examination included indirect slit-lamp fundoscopy, color fundus photography according to EURODIAB (EUROpe and DIABetes) protocol and optical coherence tomography. Blood pressure was measured with a mercury sphygmomanometer after a 10-minute rest period. In T1DM, DR was positively associated with SBP (p = 0.035), HbA1cmedian (p < 0.001) and hypertensive retinopathy (p < 0.001), while in T2DM DR was positively related only to HbA1cmedian (p = 0.021). Binary logistic regression analysis (no DR/DR) showed that diabetes duration and HbA1cmedian were the main predictors of DR in both types of diabetes. In contrast, SBP (OR = 1.05, p = 0.045) and hypertensive retinopathy (OR = 3.75, p < 0.001) were the main predictors/indicators of DR only in T1DM. In conclusion, blood pressure is associated with DR in type 1 but not in type 2 diabetes.

HDL cholesterol is a protective predictor in the development and progression of retinopathy in type 1 diabetes: A 15-year follow-up study.

AIMS: To evaluate the 15-year incidence of development and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in type 1 diabetic patients (T1DM) and determine the associated risk factors. METHODS: 123 T1DM were included in this prospective cohort study and followed for 15 years. Demographic, clinical, laboratory parameters, and retinal photographs were collected and analyzed. Risk factors for DR development and progression were identified using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: At baseline, 87 (71%) patients had no DR, and 36 (29%) had nonproliferative DR (NPDR). After 15 years, 54 patients (43.9%; 29.3/1000 person-years) developed NPDR or progressed to proliferative DR (PDR); 24 (27.6%) developed new NPDR, and 30 (83.3%) progressed to PDR. HbA1c (HR = 1.48, p = 0.008) and urinary albumin excretion rate (AER) (HR = 1.58, p = 0.045) were associated with the risk of DR development and progression, and a protective association was found for HDL cholesterol (HR = 0.17, p = 0.021). The presence of DR at baseline (HR = 2.95, p = 0.023) was associated with the risk of its progression to PDR. CONCLUSIONS: The 15-year incidence of DR development and progression in T1DM is still very high, which points to the need for close monitoring of T1DM, especially those with higher HbA1c, higher AER, the initial presence of DR, and lower HDL cholesterol.