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Serum Uric Acid Levels Are Associated With Macula Microvasculature Changes In Hypertensive White Matter
Ruili Wei1, Jianyang Xie2, Fangxia Meng1
1Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Purpose:
To characterize the macula microvasculature using fractal dimension (FD) in hypertensive white matter hyperintensity (WMH) participants and explore the association between the microvascular changes and serum uric acid levels.
Methods:
Thirty-eight WMH participants were dementia and stroke-free, and 37 healthy controls were enrolled. Optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA) was used to image the superficial vascular complex (SVC), deep vascular complex (DVC), and inner vascular complex (IVC) in a 2.5-mm diameter concentric circle (excluding the foveal avascular zone FAZ). A commercial algorithm was used to quantify the complexity and density of the three capillary layers by fractal analysis.
Results:
WMH participants showed significantly lower FD value in the SVC (P = 0.002), DVC (P < 0.001) and IVC (P = 0.012) macula microvasculature compared with control group. After adjusting for risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, age and gender) SVC (P = 0.035) and IVC (P = 0.030) significantly correlated with serum uric acid.
Conclusion:
Serum uric acid levels are associated with microvascular changes in WMH. Fractal dimension based on OCTA imaging could help quantitatively characterize the macula microvasculature changes in WMH and may be a potential screening tool to detect serum uric acid level changes.
Insights
Hypertensive white matter hyperintensity (WMH) patients show reduced macula microvasculature complexity. Fractal dimension analysis using OCTA imaging reveals associations between these microvascular changes and serum uric acid levels.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are associated with cerebrovascular disease.
- Microvascular changes in the retina may reflect systemic vascular health.
- Hypertension is a significant risk factor for WMH and vascular damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize macula microvasculature using fractal dimension (FD) in hypertensive WMH participants.
- To explore the association between microvascular changes and serum uric acid levels.
- To assess the potential of FD as a screening tool for serum uric acid changes.
Main Methods:
- Participants included 38 WMH patients and 37 healthy controls, all free of dementia and stroke.
- Optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA) was used to image the superficial, deep, and inner vascular complexes of the macula.
- Fractal analysis quantified microvascular complexity and density in a 2.5-mm diameter circle, excluding the foveal avascular zone.
Main Results:
- WMH participants exhibited significantly lower FD values in the superficial vascular complex (SVC), deep vascular complex (DVC), and inner vascular complex (IVC) compared to controls (P=0.002, P<0.001, P=0.012, respectively).
- After adjusting for risk factors, SVC (P=0.035) and IVC (P=0.030) FD values significantly correlated with serum uric acid levels.
Conclusions:
- Serum uric acid levels are associated with macula microvascular alterations in individuals with WMH.
- Fractal dimension analysis via OCTA imaging provides a quantitative method to characterize macula microvasculature changes in WMH.
- FD analysis may serve as a potential screening tool for detecting changes in serum uric acid levels.
