Optical coherence tomography angiography detects retinal microvascular changes in giant cell arteritis: the potential protective role of aortitis.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To evaluate the diagnostic utility of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)-derived biomarkers in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and to advance the pathophysiological understanding of disease-related microvascular alterations and their association with vascular manifestation.

Methods

Newly diagnosed, untreated GCA patients and healthy controls were assessed using OCTA of the optic nerve head (ONH). Skeletonised and binarised vessel densities were quantified in retinal vascular plexus and in the choriocapillaris in concentric rings around the ONH (0.5/1.0 mm diameter). Associations with clinical data, vascular ultrasound including Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Giant Cell Arteritis Ultrasonography Score (OGUS) and large-vessel involvement were

SUBMITTER: Petzinna SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12603711 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature