Investigation of the correlation among diameter of retinal vessel and arteriosclerosis risk factors including hypoadiponectinemia

Abstract

Purpose: Hypoadiponectinemia caused by visceral fat accumulation is related to hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, and is an independent risk factor for the arteriosclerosis. In this research, the correlation among diameter of retinal vessel and arteriosclerosis risk factors including hypoadiponectinemia was investigated in the population based epidemiological study.

Methods: This research was approved by the Ethics committee of Yamgatata University School of Medicine. Fundus photographs were taken in the subjects who participated in the Takahata study and analyzed after securing written permission from the subjects. In total,1473 subjects were investigated. The estimated retinal artery(CRAE:centaral retinal artery equivalent, the estimated retinal vein(CRVE:central retinal vein equivalent),and AVR (arteliole to venule ratio) were measured from the fundus photographs used by the vessel diameter measurement dedicated software (Retinal Analysis,University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin).Characteristics to be inspected were divided into about 4 groups, and the vessel diameter of an each part was analyzed.

Results: Multiple linear regression analysis showed that CRAE decreased along with systolic arterial pressure increased(-0.067μm;p=0.039).CRAE increased along with adiponectin level increased(0.153μm;p=0.049).CRVE increase was also associated with HbA1c,smoking index,and body mass index(3.333μm;p=0.004,0.004μm;p=0.023,0.412μm;p=0.007 respectively).

Conclusions: Hypoadiponectinemia was an independent risk factor for CRAE decrease.The results suggest that measurement of retinal blood vessels are a good clinical marker to detect macrovascular diseases.

Keywords: 464 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment • 688 retina