Evaluating The Effects of Rivaroxaban Therapy on Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy in Tertiary Healthcare Settings

Naveeta  Rathi; Sawaira  Hussain; Sanam Rasool  Bux; Gunesh  Kumar; Rajesh  Rathi; Nasreen  Qazi

doi:10.36283/ziun-pjmd14-3/019

Authors

Naveeta Rathi Liaquat University Medical & Health Sciences J,amshoro ,Sindh, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3977-2486
Sawaira Hussain Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan
Sanam Rasool Bux Roshan Medical College ,Tando Jam,Pakistan.
Gunesh Kumar Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan
Rajesh Rathi Muhammad Medical college Mirpurkhas, IBN e Sina University, Mirpurkhas ,Pakistan.
Nasreen Qazi Bilawal Medical College, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh,Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36283/ziun-pjmd14-3/019

Keywords:

Rivaroxaban, Diabetic Retinopathy, Neovascularization, Anticoagulants, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is a severe condition linked to diabetes that often causes vision loss around the world, due to abnormal blood vessels that can leak and weaken the retina. The available treatment methods are few. The study aimed to determine the effects of rivaroxaban therapy on PDR.

Methods: This randomized controlled, comparative study was conducted from May to October 2024 at Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro. A total of 114 patients with PDR were recruited by using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: Group A received 2.5 mg of rivaroxaban, and Group B received 5mg. Follow-up assessments were conducted on days 0, 30, 60, and 90 to monitor retinal changes. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 (released 2019, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Chi-square tests and independent t-tests were used. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Group B resulted in better retinal conditions, including less blot hemorrhage (p = 0.04), venous caliber abnormalities (p = 0.001), intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMA) (p = 0.02) and neovascularization at the optic disc (NVD) (p = 0.00001) and neovascularization elsewhere (NVE) (p = 0.001). Less impressive improvements were observed in Group A.

Conclusion: Taking 5 mg of rivaroxaban resulted in reduced diabetic retinopathy, showing that anticoagulant therapy may be effective for managing proliferative changes in diabetes. Considering the need for more data, it would be wise to have future trials in several medical centers.

Author Biographies

Naveeta Rathi, Liaquat University Medical & Health Sciences J,amshoro ,Sindh, Pakistan.

Department of Pharmacology,
Sawaira Hussain, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan

Department of Pharmacology,
Sanam Rasool Bux, Roshan Medical College ,Tando Jam,Pakistan.

Department of Pharmacology,
Gunesh Kumar, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan

Department of Pharmacology,
Rajesh Rathi, Muhammad Medical college Mirpurkhas, IBN e Sina University, Mirpurkhas ,Pakistan.

Department of Ophthalmology,
Nasreen Qazi, Bilawal Medical College, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh,Pakistan.

Department of Pharmacology,

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