Longitudinal Observational Study of Diabetic Retinopathy Progression in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an important public health problem, affecting about 589 million people in the world, and expected to reach 853 million by 2050. Active screening for DR is important because most patients may be asymptomatic until the very late stages. Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) itself may be associated with reduced visual function and quality of life measures (Willis et al., 2017).

The molecular pathophysiology of DR is complex, and a complete model of the disease is still being elucidated. The oxidative stress in diabetes upregulates multiple cytokines and chemokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietins, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukins (ILs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that leads to breakdown of the blood-retinal-barrier (BRB). Also, retinal capillary obstruction (leukostasis) or dropout (apoptosis of vascular cells) in diabetes leads to tissue ischemia and hypoxia causing increased retinal VEGF expression through transcriptional regulation by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) (Arjamaa & Nikinmaa, 2006; Whitehead et al., 2019).

The risk of developing DR complications increases over time, with increasing areas of capillary nonperfusion underpinning progression to more severe forms and development of complications as PDR or diabetic macular edema (DME), driven by hypoxia and hyperexpression of proangiogenic growth factors. However, this risk varies widely, independently of metabolic control. Differentiating patients with higher risk of progression and development of vision-threatening complications (VTC; DME and PDR) is of paramount importance for efficient treatment of the disease in order to prevent vision disability and achieve better visual outcomes. Recent developments in terms of retina imageology, namely Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and OCT Angiography (OCTA), have improved the understanding of DR pathophysiology and evolution, with a better characterization of venous abnormalities including occlusion, tortuosity, dilatation, looping or beading. OCTA examination is faster and safer compared to examination with fluorescein angiography (FA), and it can visualise the retinal vasculature in any layer of the retina. OCTA has the potential to become the examination of choice to identify eyes at risk of progression and development of VTC.

The purpose of this observational, non-interventional, prospective, and longitudinal clinical study is to explore imaging, functional and systemic biomarkers of DR progression, in T2D patients with moderate to severe NPDR and mild PDR - Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS) levels 43, 47, 53, and 61 - using state of the art methodologies, commonly applied in clinical practice.

Follow-up visits will be performed every 6 months for 2 years with a total of 5 visits. Participants will undergo the following assessments: multimodal retinal imaging, including OCT, OCTA, ultra-widefield (UWF) fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and fundus photography (FP), and color fundus photography (CFP); functional testing: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and microperimetry (Macular Integrity Assessment, MAIA); collection of systemic health variables, including glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, diabetes duration, and relevant comorbidities.

Inclusion criteria

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) according to 1985 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.
• Age between 35 and 80 years.
• Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 69 letters (20/40).
• Refraction with a spherical equivalent less than 5 diopters.
• Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR; DRSS levels 43, 47, 53) or mild proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR; DRSS level 61: Neovascularization Elsewhere (NVE) < ½ disc area in ≥ 1 quadrant, no Neovascularization of the Disc (NVD), no vitreous or sub-hyaloid hemorrhage), in which panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) and/or intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment can safely be deferred for at least 6 months, based on consensus between patient and investigator - using ETDRS criteria, 7-field equivalent area on ultra-widefield fundus imaging.
• Ability to understand and sign the written Informed Consent Form (ICF).

Exclusion criteria

• Central subfield thickness (CST) > 400 μm (fluid allowed if CST ≤ 400 μm and foveal contour is normal, as determined by the Central Reading Centre, and treatment is not immediately required).
• Any sign of retinal fibrovascular proliferation.
• Uncontrolled glaucoma (intraocular pressure > 25 mmHg regardless of concomitant IOP-lowering medications) or neovascular glaucoma.
• Any sign of iris neovascularization, vitreous, or pre-retinal hemorrhage.
• Other retinal vascular diseases (ocular ischemic syndrome, retinal arterial or venous occlusion, exudative age-related macular degeneration, etc.).
• Previous panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) or intravitreal injection treatment.
• Any eye surgery within 6 months prior to the inclusion visit.
• Significant media opacities including severe cataract, corneal scarring or edema, or vitreous hemorrhage that precludes fundus evaluation.
• Pupil dilation < 5 mm.