May 2006
Volume 47, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2006
Retinal Vascular Caliber, Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Inflammation:: The Multi–Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • A. Islam
    Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
  • R. Klein
    Department of Ophthalmology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
  • B.E. K. Klein
    Department of Ophthalmology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
  • M.F. Cotch
    Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Research, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD
  • C. Castro
    Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, NY, NY
  • A.R. Sharrett
    School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
  • E. Shahar
    Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
  • T.Y. Wong
    Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
    Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  A. Islam, None; R. Klein, None; B.E.K. Klein, None; M.F. Cotch, None; C. Castro, None; A.R. Sharrett, None; E. Shahar, None; T.Y. Wong, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2006, Vol.47, 934. doi:
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      A. Islam, R. Klein, B.E. K. Klein, M.F. Cotch, C. Castro, A.R. Sharrett, E. Shahar, T.Y. Wong; Retinal Vascular Caliber, Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Inflammation:: The Multi–Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2006;47(13):934.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose: : To describe the relationship of retinal arteriolar and venular caliber with cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors, including inflammatory biomarkers, in a multi–ethnic US population.

Methods: : Cross–sectional study comprising 5,979 persons aged 45 to 84 years residing in six U.S. communities. Retinal arteriolar and venular caliber was measured from digital retinal photographs and summarized in terms of central retinal vascular diameters using a computer–based program. Participants were assessed for standard cardiovascular risk factors and a range of biomarkers of inflammation (e.g., high sensitivity C–reactive protein [hsCRP], interleukin–6 [IL6], plasma fibrinogen) and endothelial dysfunction (e.g., soluble intercellular adhesion molecule–1 [sICAM–1], plasminogen activator inhibitor–1 [PAI–1]).

Results: : The mean central retinal arteriolar caliber was 144.1 (±14.4 SD) µm, and central retinal venular caliber 214.0 (±22.2 SD) µm. In models controlling for age, gender, race and center, smaller retinal arteriolar caliber was related to higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hypertension, alcohol consumption, greater BMI, and higher levels of total homocysteine. Larger retinal arteriolar caliber was related to diabetes, smoking, and higher levels of plasma fibrinogen. After similarly controlling for age, gender, race and center, larger retinal venular caliber was related to diabetes, smoking, greater BMI and waist hip ratio, higher levels of serum glucose, plasma triglyceride, plasma LDL–cholesterol, hsCRP, plasma fibrinogen, IL6, sICAM–1 and PAI–1, and lower levels of HDL–cholesterol.

Conclusions: : Retinal arteriolar and venular caliber is associated with a range of cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, BMI and dyslipidemia. Venular caliber is additionally associated with systemic inflammation.

Keywords: diabetic retinopathy • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: biostatistics/epidemiology methodology • retina 
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