scholarly journals Retinal microvascular parameters are not associated with diabetes in the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Author(s):  
Rachael Ann O’Neill ◽  
Alexander Peter Maxwell ◽  
Frank Kee ◽  
Ian Young ◽  
Bernadette McGuinness ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The retinal microvasculature offers unique non-invasive evaluation of systemic microvascular abnormalities. Previous studies reported associations between retinal microvascular parameters (RMPs) and diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess associations between RMPs and diabetes in a cross-sectional analysis of older persons from the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NICOLA). Methods RMPs (central retinal arteriolar/venular equivalents, arteriolar to venular ratio, fractal dimension, and tortuosity) were measured from optic disc-centred fundus images using semi-automated software. Associations were assessed between RMPs and diabetes status with adjustment for potential confounders. Results Data were included for 1762 participants with 209 classified as having diabetes. Participants had a mean age of 62.1 ± 8.5 years, and 54% were female. As expected, participants with diabetes had significantly higher mean glycated haemoglobin A1c compared to participants without diabetes (57.4 ± 17.6 mmol/mol versus 37.0 ± 4.2 mmol/mol, respectively). In unadjusted and minimally adjusted regression, arteriolar to venular ratio, arteriolar tortuosity and venular tortuosity were significantly associated with diabetes (minimally adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.85; 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 0.73, 0.99; P = 0.04, OR = 1.18; 95% CI 1.02, 1.37; P = 0.03 and OR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.04, 1.38; P = 0.01, respectively), although all failed to remain significant following adjustment for potential confounders. No additional associations between other RMPs and diabetes were detected. Conclusion Despite previously reported associations between diabetes and RMPs, our study failed to corroborate these associations in an older community-based cohort.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. O’Neill ◽  
A. P. Maxwell ◽  
F. Kee ◽  
I. Young ◽  
R. E. Hogg ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The retina shares similar anatomical and physiological features with the brain and subtle variations in retinal microvascular parameters (RMPs) may reflect similar vascular variation in the brain. The aim of this study was to assess associations between RMPs and measures of depression in the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Methods RMPs (arteriolar and venular caliber, fractal dimension and tortuosity) were measured from optic disc centred fundus images using semi-automated software. Depression was characterised by the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in the absence of mild cognitive impairment or use of anti-depressive medications. Associations between depression and RMPs were assessed by regression analyses with adjustment for potential confounders. Results Data were available for 1376 participants of which 113 (8.2%) and 1263 (91.8%) were classified with and without depression. Participants had a mean age of 62.0 ± 8.4 yrs., 52% were female, and 8% were smokers. Individuals with depression had a higher CES-D score than those without (22.0 ± 6.2 versus 4.4 ± 3.9). Lower values of arteriolar tortuosity were significantly associated with depression, before and after adjustment for potential confounders (odds ratio = 0.79; 95% confidence intervals: 0.65, 0.96; P = 0.02). Conclusion Decreased retinal arteriolar tortuosity, a measure of the complexity of the retinal microvasculature was associated with depression in older adults independent of potential confounding factors. Retinal measures may offer opportunistic assessment of microvascular health associated with outcomes of depression.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1035-1043 ◽  
Author(s):  
Érique José F. Peixoto de Miranda ◽  
Márcio Sommer Bittencourt ◽  
Alessandra C. Goulart ◽  
Itamar S. Santos ◽  
Silvia Maria de Oliveira Titan ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. 44-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Dascalu ◽  
Mengjiao Liu ◽  
Kate Lycett ◽  
Anneke C Grobler ◽  
Mingguang He ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo describe distributions and concordance of retinal microvasculature measurements in a population-based sample of Australian parent–child dyads at child age 11–12 years.DesignCross-sectional Child Health CheckPoint study, between waves 6 and 7 of the national population-based Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC).SettingAssessment centres in seven Australian cities, February 2015–March 2016.ParticipantsOf the 1874 participating families, 1288 children (51% girls) and 1264 parents (87% mothers, mean age 43.7) were analysed. Diabetic participants and non-biological pairs were excluded from concordance analyses.Outcome measuresRetinal photographs were taken by non-mydriatic fundus camera. Trained graders scored vascular calibre using semi-automated software, yielding estimates of central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) and arteriolar–venular ratio (AVR). Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression models assessed parent–child concordance. Survey weights and methods accounted for LSAC’s complex sampling, stratification and clustering within postcodes.ResultsMean (SD) of CRAE and CRVE were larger in children (159.5 (11.8) and 231.1 (16.5) μm, respectively) than parents (151.5 (14.0) and 220.6 (19.0) μm), yielding similar AVR (children 0.69 (0.05), parents 0.69 (0.06)). Correlation coefficients for parent–child pairs were 0.22 (95% CI 0.16 to 0.27) for CRAE, 0.23 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.28) for CRVE and 0.18 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.24) for AVR. Mother–child and father–child values were similar (0.20 and 0.32 for CRAE, 0.22 and 0.29 for CRVE, respectively). Relationships attenuated slightly on adjustment for age, sex, blood pressure, diabetes and body mass index. Percentiles and concordance are presented for the whole sample and by sex.ConclusionsArteriolar and venular calibre were similar to previously documented measures in midlife adult and late childhood populations. Population parent–child concordance values align with moderate polygenic heritability reported in smaller studies.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Natacci ◽  
Dirce M. Marchioni ◽  
Alessandra C. Goulart ◽  
Maria Nunes ◽  
Arlinda B. Moreno ◽  
...  

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