Are inflammatory factors related to retinal vessel caliber? The Beaver Dam Eye Study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship of systemic markers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and serum folate level to retinal vessel diameter.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analyses were completed for data from a random sample of 396 persons aged 50 to 86 years who underwent a baseline examination from 1988 to 1990. Standardized protocols for blood collection and measurement of markers were used. Diameters of arterioles and venules were measured from digitized photographs. Standard univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.


RESULTS
While controlling for age, smoking status, diabetes status, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hematocrit, wider retinal venular diameters were associated with higher serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, and amyloid A levels. While controlling for age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, smoking, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and gout, smaller arteriolar diameters were associated with higher serum amyloid A and lower serum albumin and folate levels but not high-sensitivity C-reactive protein or interleukin 6 levels. Levels of serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and serum soluble E-selectin, markers of endothelial dysfunction, were not associated with retinal arteriolar or venular diameters.


CONCLUSIONS
These data show an association of inflammatory markers with larger retinal venular diameter, suggesting that retinal venular caliber may be a marker of systemic inflammation.
Klein
Ronald
R
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School, 610 N.Walnut Street, 450 WARF, Madison, WI 53726, USA. kleinr@epi.ophth.wisc.edu
Klein
Barbara E K
BE
Knudtson
Michael D
MD
Wong
Tien Y
TY
Tsai
Michael Y
MY
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001160:Arterioles / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D014699:Venules / Q000378:metabolism
D019040:E-Selectin; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005492:Folic Acid