title: The Association of Nailfold Capillaroscopy with Systemic Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Concentration in Normal-Tension Glaucoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association of nailfold capillaroscopy, heart rate variability (HRV), and clinical characteristics of glaucoma with the plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study on 25 patients with NTG. Subjects with systemic diseases were excluded. The patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination and were referred to the Rheumatology Department, where nailfold capillaroscopy and HRV assessment were performed. The patients were assigned to the lowest and highest HRV groups according to the standard deviation value of the qualified normal-to-normal intervals of the HRV assessment. Blood samples from all the subjects were assayed for MMP-9 concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The systemic MMP-9 level was significantly associated with the nailfold capillaroscopy result (ρ = 0.439, p = 0.032). Of the 25 patients, seven had optic disc hemorrhage (ODH). The mean MMP-9 concentration was 4375.6 ± 2923.2 pg/ml in ODH patients and 5932.1 ± 1265.4 pg/ml in patients without ODH. However, there was no significant association of HRV parameters or disc hemorrhage with the systemic MMP-9 level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The systemic MMP-9 level was associated with the nailfold capillaroscopy results in patients with NTG but had no direct association with ODH.
authors: a College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea , Seoul , Republic of Korea .|b Department of Ophthalmology , Incheon St. Mary's Hospital , Seoul , Republic of Korea .
authors: Na Young
authors: NY
authors: Lee
authors: a College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea , Seoul , Republic of Korea .|c Department of Ophthalmology , Seoul St. Mary's Hospital , Seoul , Republic of Korea , and.
authors: Hae-Young Lopilly
authors: HY
authors: Park
authors: a College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea , Seoul , Republic of Korea .|d Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine , Seoul St. Mary's Hospital , Seoul , Republic of Korea.
authors: Sung-Hwan
authors: SH
authors: Park
authors: a College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea , Seoul , Republic of Korea .|c Department of Ophthalmology , Seoul St. Mary's Hospital , Seoul , Republic of Korea , and.
authors: Chan Kee
authors: CK
authors: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006068:Gonioscopy; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D057066:Low Tension Glaucoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008833:Microcirculation; D020678:Microscopic Angioscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000098:blood supply*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C579270:MMP9 protein, human; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
keywords: Heart rate variability; matrix metalloproteinase-9; nailfold capillaroscopy; normal tension glaucoma; optic disc hemorrhage