Retinal Capillary Vessel Density and Foveal Avascular Zone Size in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis: A Case-Control Study. (PsA-RETINA)

October 7, 2026 updated by: Koray Ayar, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital

Evaluation of Retinal Capillary Vascular Structures and the Foveal Avascular Zone in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis.

In terms of blood flow per unit of tissue, the retina is one of the tissues with the highest blood flow in the body. Parameters such as the thickness of the choroid layer, which plays a crucial role in maintaining normal eye function, the dimensions of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) supplied by this layer, and retinal vascular networks can be measured using non-invasive methods. OCTA (Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography) is an imaging tool that enables the non-invasive assessment of retinal microvascular densities and the measurement of the foveal avascular zone's dimensions. Studies conducted to date indicate that retinal capillary vessels and the dimensions of the foveal avascular zone are affected in rheumatological diseases, especially associated with systemic inflammation. This study aims to compare retinal capillary vessel density and foveal avascular zone dimensions in patients with psoriatic arthritis against those in a healthy population and in patients with psoriasis who do not have psoriatic arthritis, utilizing the non-invasive method of optical coherence tomography angiography.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

In terms of blood flow per unit of tissue, the retina is one of the tissues with the highest blood flow in the body. Non-invasive methods allow for the measurement of-and the detection of changes in-the thickness of the choroid layer (which plays a crucial role in maintaining normal eye function), the foveal avascular zone (nourished by this layer), and the retinal vascular networks. OCTA (Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography) is an imaging tool capable of non-invasively assessing retinal microvascular densities and measuring the dimensions of the foveal avascular zone. Retinal microvascular structures can be affected by systemic pathologies, including various eye diseases. In recent years, there has been growing evidence indicating that retinal vessel densities-as detected by OCTA-are significantly altered and the dimensions of the foveal avascular zone differ in patients with connective tissue diseases, vasculitis, and spondylitis. Psoriatic arthritis is a common chronic inflammatory disease characterized by both spondyloarthropathy and peripheral arthritis involvement. There is currently no data in the literature regarding the status of the choroidal vasculature-a highly perfused tissue-in patients with psoriatic arthritis or its relationship with disease activity. In this study, we aimed to compare retinal capillary density and foveal avascular zone dimensions among patients with psoriatic arthritis, patients with psoriasis, and healthy individuals using OCTA. The study will also compare findings between subgroups of psoriatic patients with and without concomitant spondylitis.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
135

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Koray Ayar, Associated Proffessor
  • Phone Number: 1648 +90 224-2955000
  • Email: ayarkoray@hotmail.com

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Yıldırım
      • Bursa, Yıldırım, Turkey (Türkiye), 16130
        • Recruiting
        • University of Health Sciences, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
          • Koray Ayar, Associated Proffessor (Dr.)
          • Phone Number: 1648 +90 224-2955000
          • Email: ayarkoray@hotmail.com
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Koray Ayar, Associated Proffessor (Dr.)
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Neslihan Parmak Yener, Associated Proffessor

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of volunteers from among patients with psoriatic arthritis who are being followed at the study center's rheumatology clinic. The patient control group comprises volunteers diagnosed with psoriasis by a specialist dermatologist. Participants in the healthy control group are healthcare workers or patient companions matched for age and gender with the patient group and the patient control group.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Volunteers diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis according to CASPAR criteria
  • Volunteers diagnosed with psoriasis by a specialist dermatologist
  • Hospital staff or patient companions with no chronic illnesses

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Cancer
  • Pregnancy or lactation
  • Chronic renal failure
  • Glocome
  • History of eye surgery
  • History of eye trauma

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: CASE_CONTROL
  • Time Perspectives: PROSPECTIVE

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Psoriatic arthritis

Participants with psoriatic arthritis
Diagnostic test: OCTA-SCP

Vessel density of retinal superficial capillary plexus

Diagnostic test: OCTA-DCP

Vessel density of retinal deep capillary plexus

Diagnostic test: OCTA-RPC

Vessel density of retinal prepapillary capillaries

Diagnostic test: OCTA-FAZ

FAZ essessment parameters
Psoriasis

Psoriasis participants with no other known systemic inflammatory disease
Diagnostic test: OCTA-SCP

Vessel density of retinal superficial capillary plexus

Diagnostic test: OCTA-DCP

Vessel density of retinal deep capillary plexus

Diagnostic test: OCTA-RPC

Vessel density of retinal prepapillary capillaries

Diagnostic test: OCTA-FAZ

FAZ essessment parameters
Healthy controls

Patient companions or hospital staff with no known chronic illnesses
Diagnostic test: OCTA-SCP

Vessel density of retinal superficial capillary plexus

Diagnostic test: OCTA-DCP

Vessel density of retinal deep capillary plexus

Diagnostic test: OCTA-RPC

Vessel density of retinal prepapillary capillaries

Diagnostic test: OCTA-FAZ

FAZ essessment parameters

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Retinal SCP, VD
Time Frame: 1 day

Vessel density of retinal superficial capillary plexus
1 day
Retinal DCP, VD
Time Frame: 1 day

Vessel density of retinal deep capillary plexus
1 day
Retinal RCP, VD
Time Frame: 1 day

Vessel density of retinal prepapillary capillaries
1 day
FAZ parameters
Time Frame: 1 day

Foveal avasculary assessment parameters
1 day

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 20, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 29, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 29, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
October 13, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 7, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2024-TBEK 2026/09-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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