Evidence Hub

Novel electroretinography devices to detect hydroxychloroquine retinopathy: study protocol for a diagnostic accuracy and feasibility study

Lee CN, Wafa HA, Murphy G, Galloway J, Mahroo OA, Jackson TL

BMJ open ophthalmology, 2024

35 participants · 1 citation

Abstract

Introduction: Annual screening for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy is recommended, and electroretinography (ERG) is considered a gold-standard test, but there are screening shortfalls and standard ERG is burdensome and has limited availability. Newer, portable ERG devices using skin-based electrodes may increase screening capacity but need validation. This study aims to determine initial device accuracies and feasibility of further research.

Methods and analysis: Prospective diagnostic device accuracy and feasibility study comparing novel ERG devices to standard screening tests. Three groups of 35 participants on HCQ, categorised by HCQ retinopathy (definite, possible and no retinopathy), and 35 healthy control participants, recruited by consecutive sampling, will have full field and multifocal ERG index tests, delivered using skin-contact electrodes by two devices-RETEval full-field and UTAS multifocal ERG, both manufactured by LKC Technologies (Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA), compared with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and autofluorescence reference tests graded by two masked, independent retinal specialists. Eligible HCQ participants will either have diagnosed HCQ retinopathy or be eligible for screening per UK guidelines. Healthy control participants will have no prior HCQ exposure and be of similar age and sex to HCQ participants. Primary outcome is device-specific sensitivity and specificity. Secondary outcomes include the effect of dilation on device…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 35 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free