Key result
Greater CPAP usage in patients with obstructive sleep apnea was associated with a decrease in foveal vessel density (p=0.02) and an increase in retinal vessel radius (p=0.01).
Why the study?
Retinal microvasculature is developmentally related to the brain, prompting investigation into whether retinal phenotypes and neuroimaging markers of small vessel disease track cerebrovascular health in obstructive sleep apnea.
Does CPAP therapy improve retinal microvascular phenotypes in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea?
Observational (n=44)
Does CPAP therapy improve retinal microvascular phenotypes in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea?
p-value: p=0.02
OCT-A imaging of retinal microvasculature can potentially be used to monitor CPAP treatment effectiveness and its impact on vascular health in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
OCT-A retinal imaging may track OSA-related SVD; leaves open whether it monitors CPAP effects on cerebrovascular health.
visualization of the retinal microvasculature that is developmentally related to the brain and can offer insight on cerebrovascular health. We investigated retinal phenotypes and neuroimaging markers of small vessel disease (SVD) in individuals with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). We enrolled 44 participants (mean age 50.1 ± SD 9.1 years) and performed OCT-A imaging before and after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Pre-treatment analyses using a generalized estimating equations model adjusted for relevant covariates, revealed perivascular spaces (PVS) volume in basal ganglia associated with greater foveal vessel density (fVD) (p-value < 0.001), and smaller foveal avascular zone area (p-value = 0.01), whereas PVS count in centrum semiovale associated with lower retinal vessel radius (p-value = 0.02) and higher vessel tortuosity (p-value = 0.01). A reduction in retinal vessel radius was also observed with increased OSA severity (p-value = 0.05). Post-treatment analyses showed greater CPAP usage was associated with a decrease in fVD (p-value = 0.02), and increased retinal vessel radius (p-value = 0.01). The findings demonstrate for the first time the potential use of OCT-A to monitor CPAP treatment and its possible impact on both retinal and brain vascular health.
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Giarratano et al. (2024) conducted an observational in obstructive sleep apnea (n=44). continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy vs. Pre-treatment baseline was evaluated on Changes in foveal vessel density (fVD) and retinal vessel radius (p=0.02). Greater CPAP usage in patients with obstructive sleep apnea was associated with a decrease in foveal vessel density (p=0.02) and an increase in retinal vessel radius (p=0.01).
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