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  • Title: Associations of retinal microvascular caliber with large arterial function and structure: A population-based study of 11 to 12 year-olds and midlife adults.
    Author: Liu M, Lycett K, Wong TY, Grobler A, Juonala M, He M, Dwyer T, Burgner D, Wake M.
    Journal: Microcirculation; 2020 Aug; 27(6):e12642. PubMed ID: 32490591.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: We examined associations between retinal microvascular and large arterial phenotypes to explore relationships between the micro- and macro-vasculature in childhood and midlife. METHODS: Participants were 1288 children (11-12 years, 50.9% female) and 1264 adults (mean age 44 years, 87.6% female) in a cross-sectional population-based study. Exposures were retinal arteriolar and venular caliber quantified from retinal images. Outcomes included arterial function (pulse wave velocity; carotid arterial elasticity) and structure (carotid intima-media thickness). Multivariable regression models were performed adjusting for age, sex, and family socioeconomic position. RESULTS: In children, one standard deviation wider arteriolar caliber was associated with slower pulse wave velocity (-0.15 SD, 95% CI -0.21, -0.09) and higher elasticity (0.13 SD, 95% CI 0.06, 0.20); per SD wider venular caliber was associated with faster pulse wave velocity (0.09 SD, 95% CI 0.03, 0.15) and lower elasticity (-0.07 SD, 95% CI -0.13, -0.01). The size of adult associations was approximately double. Wider arteriolar caliber was associated with smaller carotid intima-media thickness (-0.09 SD, 95% CI -0.16, -0.03) in adults but not children. Venular caliber and carotid intima-media thickness showed little evidence of association. CONCLUSIONS: Narrower retinal arterioles and wider venules are associated with large arterial function as early as mid-childhood. Associations strengthen by midlife and also extend to arterial structure, although effect sizes remain small.
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