Association of central arterial stiffness with the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy in Asians with type 2 diabetes
Objective: Arterial stiffness has been associated with diabetic retinopathy; however, the information is limited in Asians. We aim to examine the association of central arterial stiffness with the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Singapore. Methods: Arterial stiffness was estimated by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and augmentation index using applanation tonometry method. Digital colour fundus photographs from 1,203 patients were assessed for diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy severity was categorized into non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Logistic regression model was used to evaluate the associations of diabetic retinopathy with pulse wave velocity and augmentation index. Results: Diabetic retinopathy was diagnosed in 391 (32.5%) patients, including 271 non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and 108 proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy have higher pulse wave velocity (11.2 ± 3.3 vs 9.5 ± 2.6 m/s, p < 0.001) and augmentation index (28.4 ± 9.4 vs 26.1 ± 10.6%, p < 0.001) than non-diabetic retinopathy. After multivariable adjustment, pulse wave velocity [odds ratio = 1.11 (95% confidence interval = 1.05–1.17), p < 0.001] and augmentation index [odds ratio = 1.03 (95% confidence interval = 1.01–1.04), p = 0.009] was associated with diabetic retinopathy. In severity analyses, pulse wave velocity was associated with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy [odds ratio = 1.10 (95% confidence interval = 1.03–1.17), p = 0.002] and proliferative diabetic retinopathy [odds ratio = 1.15 (95% confidence interval = 1.06–1.25), p = 0.001] ( p-trend < 0.001). Augmentation index showed significant associations with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy [odds ratio = 1.02 (95% confidence interval = 1.01–1.04), p = 0.008], but not with proliferative diabetic retinopathy [odds ratio = 1.01 (95% confidence interval = 0.98–1.04), p = 0.36] ( p-trend = 0.03). Conclusion: Central arterial stiffness was associated with the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, suggesting its etiologic implication in diabetic retinopathy.