1. Impact of oral contraceptive pill (OCP) on vessels functionality
Rabiolo A1, Corvi F1, Monteduro D1, Benatti L1, Querques G1, Bandello F1
1 Department of Ophthalmology, University Vita-Salute, Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
3751 – D0243
PURPOSE: To evaluate the dynamic and static retinal vascular functionality in young females using contraceptive pill (OCP).
METHODS: Thirty-eight young female were enrolled in this study between January 2015 and November Patients were divided in two subgroups: OCP group, defined as OCP use for ≥ 6 months; and control group, defined as no current and prior OCP use. The retinal vascular response to flicker light stimulation was evaluated using the Dynamic Vessel Analyzer (DVA, IMEDOS, Jena, Germany). Static analysis of retinal vessels was also performed.
STATIC ANALYSIS
DYNAMIC ANALYSIS
OCP
CONTROL
RESULTS: Thirty-eight eyes of 38 subjects (all female, mean age ± 1.8 years) were included in the analysis. Seventeen subjects continuously took OCP for 54.6 ± 29.3 months, while 21 subjects belonged to control group. No difference was found between the OCP and control groups for age (p = 0.166), smoking status (p = 0.678), systolic (p = 0.399) and diastolic (p = 0.137) blood pressure. With regards to dynamic analysis, women taking OCP exhibited a marked significant vasoconstriction following flicker stimulation in comparison to control group (-2.43 ± 2.5 vs 0.63 ± 2.1, respectively; p = ). No significant difference was observed between OCP and control groups for both mean arterial (3.76 ± 2.3 vs 2.83 ± 2.6, respectively; p = ) and venous dilatations (4.15 ± 2.9 vs 3.34 ± 2.3, respectively; p = ). The static analysis revealed no difference between OCP and control groups for Artero-Venous Ratio (p = 0.097), Central Retinal Artery Equivalent (p = ) and Central Retinal Venous Equivalent (p = ).
CONCLUSIONS:
Our data indicate that OCP may affect vessel reactivity to flicker light, particularly increased arteries constriction. This may reflect systemic changes in vascular functionality in subjects using OCP. Moreover, OCP should be considered as a confounding bias in studies involving DVA.
Financial Disclosures: Prof Bandello F: ALLERGAN (S), ALIMERA (S), BAYER (S), FARMILA-THEA (S), SCHERING PHARMA (S), SANOFI-AVENTIS (S), NOVAGALI (S), PHARMA (S), HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE (S), GENETECH (S), NOVARTIS (S).
Prof Querques G: ALLERGAN (S), ALIMERA (S), BAYER (S); ALCON (C), ALLERGAN (C), ALIMERA (C), BAUSCH AND LOMB (C), NOVARTIS (C), BAYER (C), OPHTHOTECH (C).