Small-fibre neuropathy in leprosy the role of in vivo confocal microscopy: A cross-sectional study

Background: Leprosy (or Hansen’s disease) continues to present considerable challenges regarding containment and early diagnosis. Leprosy is considered to be primarily a neural disease that first affects the sensory function of small fibres. Although the condition is well described in terms of clinical manifestations and histology, few studies have been undertaken to detect damage done to small-fibre sensory nerves. In vivo confocal microscopy is a useful tool for conducting a detailed evaluation of these structures, although its use in individuals affected by leprosy has still not been explored. Objective: To evaluate in vivo confocal microscopy findings in Hansen’s disease patients and their association with clinical variables relating to this disease. Method: A cross-sectional case-series type study was carried out between October 2019 and May 2021, in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Socio-demographic and clinical data were gathered from 21 patients with leprosy. The douleur neuropathique 4 neuropathic pain questionnaire was used to evaluate pain. In vivo confocal microscopy of the cornea was employed to evaluate the small-calibre fibres. Findings were compared with those for a control group of 23 healthy individuals. Results: In relation to clinical parameters, 90.5% of the patients were classified as “multibacillary” according to the World Health Organization criteria, and 70% as dimorphic or borderline, in accordance with the Madrid classification. Around 52.4% had received a diagnosis after one year or less of living with the disease, while 95.2% presented alterations in small-fibre sensory function and 35% presented such alterations in the large fibre. Neuropathic pain was present in 81% of the patients. In vivo confocal microscopy found no statistically significant difference in mean age and distribution according to sex between the Hansen disease patients and the control group of healthy individuals. The median-of-means for dendritic cells and volume of sub-basal nerve fibres in the control group were used to test for normality. Both eyes of all leprosy patients examined contained higher number of dendritic cells than the median value and a volume of sub-basal nerve fibres lower than the mean. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Multibacillary individuals had a median number of dendritic cells two times that of paucibacillary individuals (P = 0.035). Limitations: No association was found between the variables examined using in vivo confocal microscopy and clinical variables relating to small-fibre damage, the neuropathic pain questionnaire or alterations detected by the neurological examination. We believe, however, that Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry of the cornea may have revealed such an association. Conclusion: In vivo confocal microscopy is a useful diagnostic tool for detecting small fibre loss in individuals affected by leprosy and may constitute a useful addition to the range of tools available to help curb the effects of neuropathy in these patients.

Serum levels of vitamin A, visual function and ocular surface after bariatric surgery / Níveis séricos de vitamina A, função visual e superfície ocular após cirurgia bariátrica

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity, but the surgery increases the risk of developing nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin A deficiency. In human metabolism, vitamin A plays a role in vision. OBJECTIVE To evaluate serum vitamin A, visual function and ocular surface of patients undergoing bariatric surgery. METHODS A cross-sectional and analytical study was conduced with 28 patients undergoing bariatric surgery for at least 6 months. Ophthalmologic evaluation was done through color vision test, contrast sensitivity test, ocular surface tests and confocal microscopy, as well as vitamin A serum measurement. RESULTS Vertical sleeve gastrectomy was performed in seven (25.0%) patients and Roux -en-Y gastric by-pass in 21 (75.0%). Mean serum vitamin A level was 1.7±0.5 µmoL/L. Most patients (60.7%) had symptoms of dry eye. Five (17.9%) patients had contrast sensitivity impairment and 18 (64.3%) color vision changes. In the group of patients undergoing Roux -en-Y gastric by-pass , mean vitamin A levels were 1.8±0.6 µmoL/L, whereas they were 1.7±0.5 µmoL/L in patients submitted to the restrictive technique vertical sleeve gastrectomy . The analysis of the influence of serum levels of vitamin A in the visual function and ocular surface was performed by Pearson correlation test and there was no significant correlation between any of the variables and vitamin A. CONCLUSION There was no influence of the bariatric surgery technique used on serum vitamin A levels, on the visual function or on the ocular surface. Moreover, there was no correlation between serum levels of vitamin A and the visual function or the ocular surface changes.

RESUMO CONTEXTO A cirurgia bariátrica é o tratamento mais efetivo para obesidade grave, entretanto aumenta o risco de desenvolvimento de deficiência de nutrientes, como vitamina A. No metabolismo humano, a vitamina A exerce função importante na visão. OBJETIVO Avaliar níveis séricos de vitamina A, função visual e superfície ocular de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal e analítico. População de 28 pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica há pelo menos 6 meses. Foi feita avaliação oftalmológica por meio de teste de visão de cores, teste de sensibilidade ao contraste, acuidade visual com correção, testes de superfície ocular e microscopia confocal, além da dosagem de vitamina A sérica. RESULTADOS Sete (25,0%) pacientes foram submetidos à gastrectomia vertical e 21 (75,0%), à derivação gástrica em Y de Roux. A média do valor sérico de vitamina A foi de 1,7±0,5 µmoL/L. A maioria dos pacientes (60,7%) apresentavam sintomas de olho seco. Cinco (17,9%) pacientes apresentaram alteração da sensibilidade ao contraste e 18 (64,3%) alteração da visão de cores. Quando considerados apenas os pacientes submetidos à derivação gástrica em Y de Roux, a média de vitamina A foi de 1,8±0,6 µmoL/L, enquanto os submetidos à técnica gastrectomia vertical tiveram média de 1,7±0,5 µmoL/L. A análise da influência dos níveis séricos de vitamina A na função visual e na superfície ocular foi realizada pelo teste de correlação de Pearson e não houve correlação significativa. CONCLUSÃO Não houve influência do tipo de técnica de cirurgia bariátrica utilizada nos níveis séricos de vitamina A, na função visual, nem na superfície ocular. Da mesma forma, não houve correlação dos níveis séricos de vitamina A com a função visual nem com as alterações de superfície ocular.

Efeito terapêutico do "cross-linking" corneano na ceratopatia bolhosa sintomática / Therapeutic effect of corneal cross-linking on symptomatic bullous keratophaty

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do "cross-linking" corneano na ceratopatia bolhosa sintomática e seu impacto na acuidade visual, espessura corneana e sintomatologia dolorosa. MÉTODOS: Doze pacientes com ceratopatia bolhosa sintomática foram incluídos. Exame clínico com questionário específico para a pesquisa com escala de dor (escala visual analógica numérica), acuidade visual e mensuração da espessura corneana foi realizada pré "cross-linking" corneano, 7, 30 e 60 dias após. Em todos os pacientes o tratamento com UVA-crosslinking foi realizado após abrasão do epitélio corneano na lâmpada de fenda e instilação de solução de riboflavina 0,1 por cento a cada 5 minutos por 30 minutos. Após esse período o paciente foi submetido à exposição à luz ultravioleta A (UVA), utilizando riboflavina e anestesia tópica a cada 5 minutos por 30 minutos. O paciente utilizou colírios de ofloxacina 0,3 por cento e lágrima artificial até completa reepitelização. O teste de Friedman foi usado para comparar as médias das frequências da acuidade visual, sintomatologia dolorosa e espessura central da córnea. Os valores de "p" menor que 0,05 foram considerados como estatisticamente significantes. RESULTADOS: Doze olhos de 12 pacientes com erosões epiteliais recorrentes foram tratados. O tempo de seguimento foi de dois meses. Foi observada redução significante da dor (p<0,001). As medidas da espessura corneana e da acuidade visual não sofreram alterações estatisticamente significantes. CONCLUSÃO: Foi constatado o potencial de aplicação do "cross-linking" corneano no tratamento de pacientes com dor causada por ceratopatia bolhosa. É necessário maior seguimento para confirmar se os resultados podem ser reproduzidos em longo prazo.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal cross-linking (CXL) effect on symptomatic bullous keratopathy, and its impact on the visual acuity, corneal thickness and pain symptomatology. METHODS: Twelve patients with symptomatic bullous keratophaty were included. A clinical examination with a specific questionnaire (pain scale - visual numeric analog scale), visual acuity, and corneal thickness measures was performed before corneal cross-linking and 7, 30 and 60 days after the procedure. In all patients, the treatment with the UVA-crosslinking was done after corneal abrasion on the slit-lamp and instillation of 0.1 percent riboflavin in saline for every five minutes, lasting 30 minutes. Subsequently, the patient underwent the UVA light exposure, using riboflavin and topical anesthesia, every five minutes lasting 30 minutes. The patient received 0.3 percent ofloxacine drops, and artificial tears until complete reepithelization. The Friedman test was used to compare the means of frequencies of visual acuity, pain symptoms and corneal thickness. A "p" value <0.05 was considered for rejecting the null hypothesis. RESULTS: Twelve eyes from 12 patients with recurrent epithelium erosions were treated. The mean follow-up was two months. Significant pain reduction was observed (p<0.001). Corneal thickness and visual acuity measurements presented with no significant difference. CONCLUSION: The potential use of cross-linking in the treatment of bullous keratopathy pain was proved to be likely. A longer follow-up to confirm whether these results can be reproduced in the long term is necessary.

Impacto visual do consumo de tabaco e álcool em idosos usuários do Sistem Único de Saúde na região do Sertão - Pernambuco / Visual impairment due to tobaco and alcohol consumption in elderly patients from the western countryside of Pernambuco State, Brazil

Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos do hábito de fumar e beber, na saúde visual, foram avaliados 434 indivíduos, residentes em Salgueiro - Sertão de Pernambuco, de ambos os sexos, com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos. Métodos: Os voluntários foram entrevistados, a fim de investigar antecedentes pessoais e familiares de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (particularmente hipertensão arterial e diabetes); além de hábitos como fumar e beber bebidas alcoólicas. Considerou-se baixa a acuidade visual os pacientes com visão apresentada pior que 20/60 no melhor olho, utilizando os critérios do Código Internacional de Doenças - CID 10. Resultados/Conclusão: Pode-se concluir que foi encontrada forte associação entre o hábito de fumar e a presença de baixa acuidade visual, o que reforça os dados que relacionam o tabagismo como fator predisponente ao desenvolvimento de DMRI e catarata, e consequentemente a deficiência visual.