RESUMO
PURPOSE: We compared the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of tafluprost 0.0015% once daily with travoprost 0.004% once daily in Japanese patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: One hundred sixteen patients with NTG were randomized to use tafluprost 0.0015% or travoprost 0.004% once daily for 12 weeks, followed by a washout period of 4 weeks between switching medications. IOP was measured at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks of each treatment period. RESULTS: Ninety patients completed both treatment periods and had IOP data available for evaluation. In both groups, a significant decrease in IOP was observed for all measurement points compared with baseline values (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in IOP at each time point between the two groups. Both drugs were effective (defined as more than 10% IOP reduction) in 39 (43%) of 90 patients; only tafluprost was effective in 26 (29%) patients, and only travoprost was effective in 17 (19%) patients. Eight (9%) patients were nonresponders to both drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Tafluprost and travoprost were equally effective in lowering IOP in patients with normal-tension glaucoma. However, patients with normal-tension glaucoma may vary in response to each medication.
RESUMO
The presence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and increased of visceral fat accumulation (VFA) are associated with high mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This preliminary study was therefore designed to test the hypothesis that DR is associated with insulin resistance and VFA in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients without insulin treatment. A total of 102 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were divided into 2 groups: DR group (age, 60 +/- 6 years [mean +/- SD]; n = 31) and no diabetic retinopathy (NDR) group (59 +/- 5 years, n = 71). The level of blood glucose was assessed by fasting plasma glucose, fasting immunoreactive insulin, homeostasis model assessment index, and hemoglobin A(1c). The fat distribution was evaluated by measuring the VFA by abdominal computed tomography at the umbilical level. The body mass index and waist circumference were higher in the DR group than in the NDR group (P < .001 and P < .0005, respectively). Plasma levels of triglyceride were higher, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower, in the DR group than in the NDR group (P < .005 and P < .0001, respectively). Fasting plasma glucose (P < .0005), insulin concentrations (P < .0001), homeostasis model assessment index (P < .0001), and VFA (P < .0001) levels were higher in the DR group than in the NDR group. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that DR was independently predicted by high VFA and insulin resistance. The results of this preliminary study indicate that the presence of DR was associated with high VFA and insulin resistance in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
