Macular Microvasculature Is Different in Patients with Primary Sjögren’s Disease Compared to Healthy Controls

Tadsen G, Zehrfeld N, Hoffmann L, Gehlhaar M, Hohberger B, Mardin C, Witte T, Framme C, Ernst D, Hufendiek K (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Diagnostics MDPI

Book Volume: 15

Article Number: 1701

Journal Issue: 13

DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics15131701

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the macular microvasculature in a large cohort of primary Sjögren’s disease (SjD) patients using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), focusing on how disease duration, activity, and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) treatment influence retinal microcirculation. Methods: A total of 106 eyes (53 SjD patients) and 70 eyes (35 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs)) were examined. The vessel area density (VAD, %) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ, mm2) were measured in three retinal layers: Superficial Vascular Plexus (SVP), Intermediate Capillary Plexus (ICP), and Deep Capillary Plexus (DCP), respectively, in three peri-macular circular sectors (c1, c2, c3) each. Results: The VAD was significantly lower in c1 of the DCP in SjD compared to HCs (29.14 ± 7.07 vs. 31.78 ± 9.55, p = 0.038). The FAZ was significantly larger in SjD in both SVP (0.41 ± 0.13 vs. 0.34, 0.11, p < 0.001; Cohen’s |d| = 0.55) and DCP (0.45 ± 0.15 vs. 0.4 ± 0.14, p = 0.014; Cohen’s |d| ± 0.38). Significant correlations were observed between the FAZ size and reductions in the VAD in the SVP and DCP (p = 0.010, Cohen’s |d| = 0.2; p < 0.001, Cohen’s |d| ± 0.26) and across all layers combined (p = 0.019, Cohen’s |d| = −0.18). Conclusions: There was a negative correlation between the VAD in the DCP and disease duration (ρ = −0.28, p = 0.040). No significant correlation was identified between the duration of HCQ intake and the VAD or FAZ. Our findings indicate microvascular alterations in the DCP of SjD, characterized by a reduced VAD and an enlarged FAZ, which may be attributable to inflammatory or arteriosclerotic factors. OCTA may prove to be a valuable tool for the stratification of vascular risk in SjD.

Authors with CRIS profile

Bettina Hohberger Department of Ophthalmology Christian Mardin Medizinische Fakultät

Involved external institutions

Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH) / Hannover Medical School DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Tadsen, G., Zehrfeld, N., Hoffmann, L., Gehlhaar, M., Hohberger, B., Mardin, C.,... Hufendiek, K. (2025). Macular Microvasculature Is Different in Patients with Primary Sjögren’s Disease Compared to Healthy Controls. Diagnostics, 15(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15131701

MLA:

Tadsen, Gyde, et al. "Macular Microvasculature Is Different in Patients with Primary Sjögren’s Disease Compared to Healthy Controls." Diagnostics 15.13 (2025).

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