Associations between retinal arteriolar and venular calibre with the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study | Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)

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Citation
Tags

HERO ID

4822683

Reference Type

Journal Article

Title

Associations between retinal arteriolar and venular calibre with the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study

Author(s)

Phan, K; Mitchell, P; Liew, G; Plant, AJ; Wang, SB; Thiagalingam, A; Burlutsky, G; Gopinath, B

Year

2018

Is Peer Reviewed?

Journal

PLoS ONE
EISSN: 1932-6203

Volume

Issue

Page Numbers

e0189627

Language

English

PMID

29723218

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0189627

Web of Science Id

WOS:000431305100001

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study aims to explore retinal vessel calibre in individuals at risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), diagnosed with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or diabetes mellitus (DM), and whether indices of CAD extent and severity modifies these associations with DM.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken of 1680 patients presenting to Westmead Hospital (Sydney, Australia) for evaluation of potential CAD. Baseline digital retinal photographs, cardiovascular risk factor measurements, fasting blood tests and self-reported diabetes by patient questionnaire was recorded. Extent and severity of CAD was assessed using Extent and Gensini scores from angiography findings, respectively. Multivariate analysis including age and hypertension was undertaken to assess the association between retinal vessel calibre and IFG or DM.

RESULTS: A total of 748 patients were included; 96 (12.8%) and 189 (25.3%), respectively, had IFG or DM (together termed 'hyperglycaemia'). No consistent association between hyperglycaemia and retinal arteriolar calibre was apparent. Wider retinal venular calibre (second and third tertile) carried a significantly higher odds of DM in men only (multivariable-adjusted OR 2.447, p = 0.005; and OR 2.76, p = 0.002; respectively). No equivalent association was apparent in women. This association was marginally significant (p = 0.08) in patients with CAD Extent scores below the median (i.e. less diffuse CAD). Retinal vessel calibre was not associated with impaired fasting glucose.

CONCLUSIONS: This study reports a significant association between retinal venular widening and diabetes mellitus in men. This association was marginally stronger among participants with less diffuse CAD.