Relationship between Lipoprotein Ratios and Retinal Vessel Diameter

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between six lipoprotein ratios and retinal vascular diameter. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed from January 2010 to December 2010 and included 4 882 Chinese government officials age ≥40 years in Guangzhou who had no history of major cardiovascular events such as stroke or myocardial infarction. Serum lipids were analyzed and retinal vascular caliber was assessed using standard fundus photographs and validated software. A multiple linear regression model was designed to analyze the relationship between the following conditions: low density lipoprotein cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL/HDL), apolipoprotein B/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (ApoB/HDL), apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 (ApoB/ApoA1), total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL), triglyceride/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein B (LDL/ApoB) ratios and retinal vascular diameter. Results: After adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, multiple linear regression analysis showed that LDL/HDL, ApoB/HDL, and ApoB/ApoA1 ratios all have a negative correlation with retinal arterial caliber ( β=-0.61, -1.91, -2.58, P=0.046, 0.020, 0.010 respectively). However, they have a positive correlation with retinal venous caliber ( β=2.01, 4.63, 5.99, respectively, P < 0.001). The relationships between TC/HDL, TG/HDL, and LDL/ApoB and retinal vascular caliber were not statistically significant. Conclusions: LDL/HDL, ApoB/HDL, and ApoB/ApoA1 ratios are significantly associated with a decrease in the retinal vascular caliber. The ratios of TC/HDL, TG/HDL, and LDL/ApoB are not associated with retinal vascular caliber. Key words: lipoprotein ratios; retinal vascular caliber; coronary heart disease; stroke; diabetes mellitus