Associations of retinal microvascular caliber with large arterial function and structure: A population-based study of 11 to 12 year-olds and midlife adults

Abstract

<p>Objective <br></p><p>We examined associations between retinal microvascular and large arterial phenotypes to explore relationships between the micro- and macro-vasculature in childhood and midlife. <br></p><p>Methods <br></p><p>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. <br></p><p>Results <br></p><p>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. <br></p><p>Conclusions <br></p><p>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.</p>