Routine Blood Examination Predicts the Course of Disease in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation

TL;DR

Blood tests can help predict disease progression in patients with pseudoexfoliation, a condition linked to eye health and inflammation.

Contribution

The study identifies monocyte and platelet changes as potential biomarkers for disease progression in pseudoexfoliation.

Findings

Monocyte counts increase in late-stage pseudoexfoliation and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma compared to controls and early-stage patients.

Platelet counts differ significantly across disease stages.

LDL cholesterol levels are elevated in pseudoexfoliation patients compared to controls.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Is it possible to predict the course of disease in patients with pseudoexfoliation based on blood examination? Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 800 patients recruited for cataract surgery in the Clinic of Ophthalmology, University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Serbia. The patients were divided into four groups: pseudoexfoliation syndrome early stage group (n = 200 patients), pseudoexfoliation syndrome late stage group (n = 200 patients), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma group (n = 200 patients) and the control group (n = 200 patients). During the preoperative process, some blood examination must be performed. We retrospectively used the results for the blood cell counts that we obtained from the patients. We recorded the neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, monocyte and leucocyte numbers, as well as the lipid profile, and simply calculated the ratio of their values, which we considered through different stages of the disease. Results: Our results indicated that there were no significant differences between all the groups examined in terms of leucocyte, neutrophil and lymphocyte count, but we recorded significant differences in the monocyte and platelet count. It was interesting that the monocyte count increased in the late stage of pseudoexfoliation syndrome and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, in comparison with the control group and patients with early stage pseudoexfoliation syndrome. The lipid profile analysis indicated only increased values of LDL in patients with pseudoexfoliation (syndrome/glaucoma) in comparison with the control group. Conclusions: Monocytes are the main source of various cytokines, so our results support the proinflammatory theory of pseudoexfoliation development. Monocytes are the main cells in chronic inflammation, which leads to pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Platelets play an important role in the differentiation and activation of monocytes, as well as in the process of chronic inflammation and fibrosis, which are significant for pseudoexfoliation material production. A disturbed lipid profile in patients with pseudoexfoliation is expected, as they are at higher risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.