Dataset Information

Retinal microvascular signs and risk of stroke: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Small-vessel disease contributes to the pathophysiology of stroke, and retinal microvascular signs have been linked to the risk of stroke. We examined the relationship of retinal signs with incident stroke in a multiethnic cohort. METHODS:The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is a prospective cohort study that enrolled participants without clinical cardiovascular diseases from 6 US communities between 2000 and 2002. Of the participants, 4849 (71.2%) had fundus photography performed in 2002 to 2004. Retinopathy and retinal vessel caliber were assessed from retinal images. Stroke risk factors including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, carotid artery intima-media thickness, and coronary artery calcium were measured using standardized protocols. Incident stroke was confirmed from medical record review and death certificates. RESULTS:After 6 years of follow-up, there were 62 incident strokes. Narrower retinal arteriolar caliber was associated with increased risk of stroke after adjusting for conventional cardiovascular risk factors (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.34-5.95; P=0.006; adjusted hazard ratio, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.29-6.99; P=0.011). Retinopathy in persons without diabetes was associated with increased risk of stroke (adjusted adjusted incidence rate ratio, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.50-5.84; P=0.002; adjusted hazard ratio, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.17-8.09; P=0.023). These associations remained significant after adjusting for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, carotid intima-media thickness, or coronary artery calcium. CONCLUSIONS:Narrower retinal arteriolar caliber and retinopathy in nondiabetic persons were associated with increased risk of stroke in this relatively healthy multiethnic cohort independent of traditional risk factors and measures of atherosclerosis. The association between narrower retinal arteriolar caliber and stroke warrants further investigation.

SUBMITTER: Kawasaki R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3508325 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Retinal microvascular signs and risk of stroke: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Kawasaki Ryo R Xie Jing J Cheung Ning N Lamoureux Ecosse E Klein Ronald R Klein Barbara E K BE Cotch Mary Frances MF Sharrett A Richey AR Shea Steven S Wong Tien Y TY

Stroke 20121030 12

<h4>Background and purpose</h4>Small-vessel disease contributes to the pathophysiology of stroke, and retinal microvascular signs have been linked to the risk of stroke. We examined the relationship of retinal signs with incident stroke in a multiethnic cohort.<h4>Methods</h4>The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is a prospective cohort study that enrolled participants without clinical cardiovascular diseases from 6 US communities between 2000 and 2002. Of the participants, 4849 (71.2 ...[more]

PMID: 23111439

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Project description:PurposeMicrovascular diseases may contribute to the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Retinal microvascular signs that are similar to other microvasculature in the body and can be visualized directly via ophthalmoscopy may provide insights into such a relationship.DesignProspective, longitudinal, multiethnic study.ParticipantsWe examined the association between retinal microvascular signs and incident AF in 4994 participants 47 to 86 years of age and free of prior AF who underwent fundus photography from 2002 through 2004 and were followed up through 2015 in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).MethodsRetinal microvascular signs evaluated include central retinal arteriolar equivalent and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) and presence of any retinopathy signs (e.g., retinal microaneurysms or hemorrhages). A multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine the relationship while adjusting for traditional risk factors, alcohol intake, body mass index, diabetes status, chronic kidney disease status, hemoglobin A1c level, C-reactive protein level, medications, and prevalent cardiovascular diseases or heart failure.Main outcome and measuresIncident AF events were identified using 12-lead electrocardiographic findings, hospital discharge records, and Medicare claims data.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 14.1 years, 643 AF events were identified. No association was found between any retinal microvascular signs and incident AF except for retinal focal arteriolar narrowing (hazard ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.87) in the overall population. However, in the subgroup analyses by gender, wider CRVE was associated with a higher risk of incident AF in women, but not in men (hazard ratio for every 10-μm increase in CRVE, 1.08 [95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.15] and 0.97 [95% confidence interval, 0.92-1.03], respectively; P = 0.041 for interaction).ConclusionsNo consistent pattern of association was found between retinal microvascular signs and incident AF. We observed an association in women, but not in men, of wider retinal venular calibers with incidence of AF. The reasons for a possible interaction are incompletely understood.

Dataset Information

Retinal microvascular signs and risk of stroke: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Publications

Retinal microvascular signs and risk of stroke: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

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