Abstract
BackgroundRetinal vessel abnormalities are associated with cardiovascular disease risk. Widening of retinal venules is associated with increased risk of stroke while narrowing of retinal arterioles independently predicts incident hypertension, coronary heart disease and diabetes. Dietary factors are known to play an important role in cardiovascular health. However, few studies have examined the association between dietary patterns (DPs) and retinal microvascular health.ObjectiveTo examine the association between ‘a posteriori’- derived DPs and retinal vascular caliber (RVC) in older women with a restricted lifestyle.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 1233 participants (mean age: 76.3 years) from the Irish Nun Eye Study (INES). Computer-assisted software was used to measure RVC from digital eye images using standardized protocols. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). DP analysis was performed using principal component analysis from completed FFQs. Regression models were used to assess associations between DPs and retinal vessel diameters, adjusting for age, body mass index, refraction, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular accident and fellow eye RVC.ResultsTwo DPs were identified: a ‘healthy’ pattern with high factor loadings for fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and oily fish and an ‘unhealthy’ pattern with high factor loadings for sugar and sweets, chips, high fat dairy products and French fries. Adjusted linear regression analysis revealed that those who adhered most closely to the unhealthy DP had wider central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) (p=0.03) and narrower central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) (p=0.01) compared to the least unhealthy DP. No independent relationship was observed between the healthy DP and RVC.ConclusionIn this cohort of older women with a restricted lifestyle, an unhealthy DP was independently associated with an unfavorable retinal profile, namely a widening of retinal venules and narrowing of retinal arterioles.
Highlights
Evidence from observational epidemiological studies and clinical trials strongly supports a role for the consumption of a healthy diet in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1,2,3,4].The relationship between dietary intake and vascular disease may be partly mediated by changes in the microcirculatory system [5, 6]
Study population dietary patterns (DPs) data were collected as part of the Irish Nun Eye Study (INES), a cross-sectional study which primarily examined the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in nuns, a population with a restricted lifestyle, and risk factors associated with AMD
Closer adherence to an unhealthy DP was associated with an unfavourable retinal profile i.e. narrower arterioles and wider venules
Summary
Evidence from observational epidemiological studies and clinical trials strongly supports a role for the consumption of a healthy diet in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1,2,3,4].The relationship between dietary intake and vascular disease may be partly mediated by changes in the microcirculatory system [5, 6]. Widening of retinal venules has been associated with incident CVD while narrowing of retinal arterioles independently predicts incident hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) [7,8,9,10]. Widening of retinal venules is associated with increased risk of stroke while narrowing of retinal arterioles independently predicts incident hypertension, coronary heart disease and diabetes. Few studies have examined the association between dietary patterns (DPs) and retinal microvascular health. DP analysis was performed using principal component analysis from completed FFQs. Regression models were used to assess associations between DPs and retinal vessel diameters, adjusting for age, body mass index, refraction, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular accident and fellow eye RVC. Conclusion: In this cohort of older women with a restricted lifestyle, an unhealthy DP was independently associated with an unfavorable retinal profile, namely a widening of retinal venules and narrowing of retinal arterioles
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
