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Could corneal densitometry be used as a diagnostic and screening tool for ocular involvement in patients with gout?

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the corneal and tear film characteristics in patients with gout and compare these data with those of healthy subjects and to investigate the correlation of corneal densitometry with uric acid value and duration of disease.

Methods

Forty-one eyes of 41 patients with gout (group 1) and 40 eyes of 40 healthy subjects (group 2) were included in this study. Detailed ophthalmologic examinations were performed on all participants. Corneal tomographic analyses were performed with the Pentacam HR Scheimpflug imaging system (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). Maximum keratometry (Kmax), central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal volume (CV), and corneal densitometric values were compared between groups. Tear function tests including Schirmer, tear breakup time, and fluorescein staining were performed and compared between groups.

Results

Groups were similar in terms of age and gender. Kmax, CCT, and CV values were similar between groups. The outcomes of tear function tests were similar between groups. Corneal densitometric values for the 0–2 and 2–6 mm zones of the anterior and center layers were significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2. This densitometric increase was positively correlated with uric acid levels and gout duration.

Conclusions

Corneal densitometry values of the 0–2 and 2–6 mm zones of the anterior and central layers were higher in patients with gout than those of the control subjects, and the densitometric values increased as uric acid level and disease duration increased.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ulucanlar Street, Number: 59, 06240, Ankara, Turkey

    Pinar Kosekahya, Cemile Ucgul Atilgan, Mustafa Koc & Pelin Yilmazbas

  2. Department of Nephrology, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Kadir Gokhan Atilgan & Deniz Ayli

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, Kars State Hospital, Kars, Turkey

    Kemal Tekin

  4. Department of Ophthalmology, Gazi Yasargil Training and Research Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey

    Mehtap Caglayan

Authors
  1. Pinar Kosekahya
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  2. Kadir Gokhan Atilgan
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  3. Cemile Ucgul Atilgan
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Correspondence to Pinar Kosekahya.

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The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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Kosekahya, P., Atilgan, K.G., Atilgan, C.U. et al. Could corneal densitometry be used as a diagnostic and screening tool for ocular involvement in patients with gout?. Int Ophthalmol 39, 991–1001 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-018-0901-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-018-0901-7

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