The Role of OCTA in Patients Affected by Beta Thalassemia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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To investigate, using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), the retinal and choriocapillaris vascular features in patients affected by Beta Thalassemia. Moreover we analyzed the structural retinal parameters (ganglion cell complex and retinal nerve fiber layer), using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in these patients

Detailed Description
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Beta Thalassemia is one of the most common genetic hemoglobinopathy characterized by a defective β globulin chain synthesis leading to hemolysis and ineffective erythropoiesis. The study investigated the changes in retinal and choriocapillaris vascular features using optical coherence tomography angiography, a novel and noninvasive diagnostic technique that allows a detailed analysis of retinal and choriocapillaris blood flow.

Official Title
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Retinal and Choriocapillaris Vascular Features in Patients With Beta Thalassemia by Means of Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Conditions
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Thalassemia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: Optical coherence tomography angiography


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age older than 35 years diagnosis of Beta Thalassemia absence of previous ocular surgery, congenital eye disease, high myopia (>6 dioptres), actual or previous diagnosis of glaucoma, optic disc anomaly, macular or vitreoretinal diseases. absence of significant lens opacities, low-quality OCT and OCT-A images. Exclusion Criteria: age older than 50 years absence of diagnosis of Beta Thalassemia presence of previous ocular surgery, congenital eye disease, high myopia (>6 dioptres), actual or previous diagnosis of glaucoma, optic disc anomaly, macular or vitreoretinal diseases. presence of significant lens opacities, low-quality OCT and OCT-A images.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 35 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Patients with Beta Thalassemia<br>Patients with previous diagnosis of Beta Thalassemia | Diagnostic Test: Optical coherence tomography angiography<br>* Each subject underwent Optical coherence tomography angiography (a non-invasive, fast, diagnostic imaging technique)<br>|
| Control Group<br>Healthy fellow eyes without actual and previous ocular trauma | Diagnostic Test: Optical coherence tomography angiography<br>* Each subject underwent Optical coherence tomography angiography (a non-invasive, fast, diagnostic imaging technique)<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The measurements of retinal and choriocapillaris features in patients with Beta Thalassemia, using optical coherence tomography angiography. | The parameters analyzed by optical coherence tomography angiography were: retinal and choriocapillaris vessel density | Four months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The measurements of retinal structural parameters in patients with Beta Thalassemia, using optical coherence tomography. | The parameters analyzed by optical coherence tomography were: ganglion cell complex and retinal nerve fiber layer | Four months |