Measurements and main results
PCS patients exhibit persistent endothelial dysfunction (ED), as indicated by significantly lower venular flicker-induced dilation (vmax; 3.42% ± 1.77% vs. 4.64 % ± 2.59%; p = 0.02), narrower central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE; 178.1 [167.5 - 190.2] vs. 189.1 [179.4 - 197.2], p = 0.01) and lower arteriolar-venular ratio (AVR; (0.84 [0.8 - 0.9] vs. 0.88 [0.8 - 0.9], p = 0.007). When combining AVR and vmax, predicted scores reached good ability to discriminate groups (area under the curve: 0.75). Higher PCS severity scores correlated with lower AVR (R= -0.37 p = 0.017). The association of microvascular changes with PCS severity were amplified in PCS patients exhibiting higher levels of inflammatory parameters.
The study:
https://www.researchsquare.com/arti...OL5oLcWDMUGlUGrZXCmvxyLQV4QBBH2rP9BUf0FjHrFjQ
Study registration:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05635552
Finally a study using advanced measurement techniques. If we now add OCT-A to this and NIRS and other precise and advanced techniques that can determine oxygenation and damage in small tissue and vessels in PCS & ME/CFS we can actually finally get somewhere. On clinicaltrials.gov it says that they will also use OCT-A and hand grip strength test, so I'm expecting more work from this group in the near future.
PCS patients exhibit persistent endothelial dysfunction (ED), as indicated by significantly lower venular flicker-induced dilation (vmax; 3.42% ± 1.77% vs. 4.64 % ± 2.59%; p = 0.02), narrower central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE; 178.1 [167.5 - 190.2] vs. 189.1 [179.4 - 197.2], p = 0.01) and lower arteriolar-venular ratio (AVR; (0.84 [0.8 - 0.9] vs. 0.88 [0.8 - 0.9], p = 0.007). When combining AVR and vmax, predicted scores reached good ability to discriminate groups (area under the curve: 0.75). Higher PCS severity scores correlated with lower AVR (R= -0.37 p = 0.017). The association of microvascular changes with PCS severity were amplified in PCS patients exhibiting higher levels of inflammatory parameters.
The study:
https://www.researchsquare.com/arti...OL5oLcWDMUGlUGrZXCmvxyLQV4QBBH2rP9BUf0FjHrFjQ
Study registration:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05635552
Finally a study using advanced measurement techniques. If we now add OCT-A to this and NIRS and other precise and advanced techniques that can determine oxygenation and damage in small tissue and vessels in PCS & ME/CFS we can actually finally get somewhere. On clinicaltrials.gov it says that they will also use OCT-A and hand grip strength test, so I'm expecting more work from this group in the near future.