Retina Clinic

BackgroundThis large-scale study aimed to determine the prevalence and genotype distribution of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection together with cervical cytological findings among women undergoing cervical screening in Türkiye. In Türkiye, HPV prevalence varies regionally, and vaccination rates remain low due to the absence of HPV vaccination in the national program.MethodsA retrospective study of 4,648 women who underwent HPV testing and cervical cytology from January 2020 to March 2023. HPV genotype was determined by multiple PCR. Cytological findings were categorized based on the 2015 Bethesda System. Statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-square test and logistic regression to compare the association between positivity for HPV, age groups, types of infection, and cytological alterations.Results17.7% (n = 825) of both groups were HPV positive, and 82.3% of the subjects (n = 3,823) were negative for HPV. HPV positivity had a bimodal distribution by age, with higher prevalence among women <30 years and those aged 40–49 (p = 0.0049). Women younger than 29 years had significantly higher odds of being HPV positive compared with the reference group (OR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.86–3.49; p < 0.01). The most prevalent genotypes were HPV-16 (23.3%) followed by HPV-6 (13.3%), HPV-51 (6.3%), and HPV-59 (6.5%). Differences in cytological distributions between single and multiple infections were not significant (p = 0.41), though HPV-16 was significantly associated with moderate-severe lesions (HSIL, ICC) (p < 0.01).ConclusionThe results indicate the requirement for age-optimized screening, ongoing genotype surveillance, and successful HPV vaccination programs. Cervical cancer represents a major health burden although it is largely preventable through vaccination. These findings highlight the urgent need for genotype-specific surveillance and reinforce the importance of implementing comprehensive HPV vaccination programs in Türkiye.

BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of vision loss, with early microvascular changes often preceding visual deterioration. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) allows non-invasive imaging of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), a potential biomarker for visual function. However, the association between FAZ metrics and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) remains unclear. Prior studies have reported variable findings regarding the diagnostic relevance of FAZ parameters, partly attributable to differences in OCTA imaging techniques, segmentation strategies, and analytic methodologies.PurposeTo systematically review the association between OCTA-derived FAZ parameters (area, perimeter, and circularity) and BCVA in patients with DRMethodsThis review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Four databases (PubMed, Scopus, EbscoHost, and ScienceDirect) were systematically searched through April 2025. Studies were eligible if they examined the relationship between FAZ metrics and BCVA in diabetic patients using quantitative analysis. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools. A narrative synthesis was performed.ResultsSix studies (1 prospective cohort and 5 cross-sectional) involving 651 diabetic and 100 control eyes were included. FAZ area, particularly in the deep vascular plexus (DVP), showed the strongest and most consistent negative correlation with BCVA. In contrast, FAZ circularity and perimeter demonstrated weak and inconsistent associations with visual acuity. Heterogeneity in OCTA devices, scan protocols, study design, and outcome measurements limited meta-analysis.ConclusionFAZ area, particularly in the DVP, shows the most consistent association with visual acuity in DR, while circularity and perimeter demonstrate variable and limited standalone value. However, current evidence is limited by methodological variability and high heterogeneity across studies. Standardization of study methods, OCTA acquisition, and segmentation are essential to enable reliable translational and clinical application of FAZ-based biomarkers. Hybrid, multimodal, and artificial intelligence-based approaches may enhance future longitudinal prediction models.

This study aimed to evaluate the value of platelet activation markers in predicting preeclampsia and its severity. Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that affects 3-5% of pregnancies and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality for both the mother and the fetus. The study included 99 patients diagnosed with preeclampsia and 60 healthy pregnant women as a control group. Platelet activation markers such as mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), platelet count, and plateletcrit were evaluated along with other clinical parameters. The results of the study showed that platelet activation markers, particularly PDW and MPV, are valuable in the diagnosis and follow-up of preeclampsia. However, they are not sufficient to predict the severity of the disease. The study suggests that platelet activation markers could aid in predicting, diagnosing, and managing preeclampsia. However, further research is needed to determine the role of these markers in predicting the severity of the disease. The findings of this study could contribute to the development of more effective strategies for the prevention and management of preeclampsia, which could ultimately improve maternal and fetal outcomes.