Factors Associated with the Macular Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness in a Cohort of Middle-aged U.S. Adults.

PubMed ID: 33771958

Author(s): Paulsen AJ, Pinto A, Merten N, Chen Y, Fischer ME, Huang GH, Klein BEK, Schubert CR, Cruickshanks KJ. Factors associated with the macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness in a cohort of middle-aged U.S. adults. Optom Vis Sci. 2021 Mar 1;98(3):295-305. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001650. PMID 33771958

Journal: Optometry And Vision Science : Official Publication Of The American Academy Of Optometry, Volume 98, Issue 3, Mar 2021

SIGNIFICANCE The macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) may serve as a quick and easily obtained measure of generalized neurodegeneration. Investigating factors associated with this thickness could help to understand neurodegenerative processes.

PURPOSE This study aimed to characterize and identify associated factors of the mGCIPL thickness in a Beaver Dam Offspring Study cohort of middle-aged U.S. adults.

METHODS Baseline examinations occurred from 2005 to 2008, with follow-up examinations every 5 years. Included participants had baseline data and measured mGCIPL at 10-year follow-up (N = 1848). The mGCIPL was measured using the Cirrus 5000 HD-OCT Macular Cube Scan. Associations between mean mGCIPL thickness and thin mGCIPL, defined as 1 standard deviation (SD) below the population mean, and baseline risk factors were investigated using generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS Participants (mean [SD] baseline age, 48.9 [9.3] years; 54.4% women) had mean (SD) mGCIPL thicknesses of 78.4 (8.1) μm in the right eye and 78.1 (8.5) μm in the left (correlation coefficient = 0.76). In multivariable models, age (-1.07 μm per 5 years; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.28 to -0.86 μm), high alcohol consumption (-1.44 μm; 95% CI, -2.72 to -0.16 μm), higher interleukin 6 levels (50% increase in level: -0.23 μm; 95% CI, -0.45 to 0.00 μm), myopia (-2.55 μm; 95% CI, -3.17 to -1.94 μm), and glaucoma (-1.74 μm; 95% CI, -2.77 to -0.70 μm) were associated with thinner mGCIPL. Age (per 5 years: odds ratio [OR], 1.38; 95% CI, 1.24 to 1.53), diabetes (OR, 1.89, 95% CI, 1.09 to 3.27), myopia (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.63 to 2.73), and increasing and long-term high C-reactive protein (ORs, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.01 to 2.11] and 1.74 [95% CI, 1.14 to 2.65], respectively) were associated with increased odds of thin mGCIPL.

CONCLUSIONS Factors associated cross-sectionally with mGCIPL thickness, older age, high alcohol consumption, inflammation, diabetes, myopia, and glaucoma may be important to neural retina structure and health and neuronal health system-wide.

Copyright © 2021 American Academy of Optometry.