The role of serum biomarkers in determining systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk in pseudoexfoliation syndrome

To investigate the role of hematological and atherogenic biomarkers in evaluating systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

This retrospective study included 200 patients, 90 with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome (Group 1) and 110 healthy controls (Group 2). Twelve-hour fasting blood samples were collected to measure complete blood count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) (neutrophil x platelet/lymphocyte), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) (neutrophil x monocyte/lymphocyte), pan-immune inflammation value (PIV) (neutrophil x platelet x monocyte/lymphocyte), C-reactive protein (CRP), uric acid, glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, non-HDL, and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index (Ln (TG [mg/dL] × glucose [mg/dL]/2)). The groups were compared based on these measurements.

The two groups were similar in terms of age and gender (p > 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups for PLR, SII, CRP, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and non-HDL (all p > 0.05). However, systemic inflammation markers—NLR, MLR, SIRI, PIV, and uric acid were significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (all p < 0.05). Among the atherogenic biomarkers used to assess cardiovascular risk, triglycerides and the TyG index were significantly higher in Group 1 (p < 0.05, p < 0.001).

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is characterized by the accumulation of fibrogranular material primarily on the anterior lens capsule and pupillary border. PEX deposits are not limited to ocular structures but are also found in the heart, liver, and various vascular structures. It has been suggested that PEX is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and that systemic inflammation plays a role in the disease’s pathogenesis. The significant biomarkers identified in this study may provide guidance in monitoring the disease.