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Retinal microvascular abnormalities and 10-year cardiovascular mortality: a population-based case-control study.
Tien Yin Wong1, Ronald Klein, F Javier Nieto
1Singapore National Eye Center & National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore. ophwty@nus.edu.sg
Ophthalmology
|May 17, 2003
Summary
Retinal microvascular abnormalities like retinopathy are linked to higher long-term cardiovascular mortality. Other retinal signs may indicate risk in younger individuals, but not in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypertension-induced arteriolar damage can manifest as retinal microvascular abnormalities.
- These abnormalities are known predictors of stroke.
- Their association with long-term cardiovascular mortality requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between retinal microvascular abnormalities and long-term cardiovascular mortality.
- To determine if retinal findings provide independent information on cardiovascular risk.
Main Methods:
- A population-based, nested case-control study was conducted.
- Retinal photographs from 413 deceased cases (coronary heart disease or stroke) and 1198 controls were analyzed.
- Graders assessed retinopathy, focal arteriolar narrowing, arteriovenous nicking, and generalized arteriolar narrowing.
Main Results:
- Retinopathy was independently associated with increased cardiovascular mortality (OR 1.8).
- Other retinal abnormalities (focal arteriolar narrowing, arteriovenous nicking, generalized arteriolar narrowing) were associated with cardiovascular mortality only in younger individuals (43-74 years).
- Odds ratios for these abnormalities in older individuals (≥75 years) were not significant.
Conclusions:
- Retinopathy is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality.
- The predictive value of other retinal microvascular abnormalities for cardiovascular mortality appears age-dependent.
- Retinal microvascular abnormalities offer valuable, independent insights into cardiovascular risk.