Establishment of prediction method for development and progression of diabetic retinopathy targeting intraretinal microvascular abnormalities.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18866
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: Asahikawa Medical College
• Principal Investigator: SHIMOUCHI AKITO 旭川医科大学, 大学病院, 診療助教 (60647692)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 糖尿病網膜症 / 網膜内細小血管異常 / 光干渉断層血管撮影 / 汎網膜光凝固術

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to establish the basis of a new progression prediction method and early treatment method that enable early intervention of diabetic retinopathy, and investigated the pathophysiology of intraretinal microvascular abnormalities that are indicators of the aggravation of diabetic retinopathy. As a result, it became clear that intraretinal microvascular abnormalities can be divided into five subtypes, and some intraretinal microvascular abnormalities have a remodeling element and some have a new blood vessel element. It was suggested that the type with tuft (tufted new blood vessel buds) may be an indicator of the development of severe diabetic retinopathy.

Free Research Field

眼科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、国際重症度分類において糖尿病網膜症の重症化の指標と定義づけられている網膜内細小血管異常に着目し、治療前後における網膜内細小血管異常の変化を観察したところ、網膜内細小血管異常には５つのサブタイプがあり、その中にはリモデリングの要素を持つものと、新生血管の要素を持つものがあることが分かった。このうち新生血管の要素を持つものが、より重症化の指標となることが示唆され、新たな進行予測因子として用いることができる可能性がある。