Retinal microvascular complexity comparing mono- and multifractal dimensions in relation to cardiometabolic risk factors in a Middle Eastern population.

Abstract

Metrics that capture changes in the retinal microvascular structure are relevant in the context of cardiometabolic disease development. The microvascular topology is typically quantified using monofractals, although it obeys more complex multifractal rules. We study mono- and multifractals of the retinal microvasculature in relation to cardiometabolic factors. The cross-sectional retrospective study used data from 3000 Middle Eastern participants in the Qatar Biobank. A total of 2333 fundus images (78%) passed quality control and were used for further analysis. The monofractal (Df ) and five multifractal metrics were associated with cardiometabolic factors using multiple linear regression and were studied in clinically relevant subgroups. Df and multifractals are lowered in function of age, and Df is lower in males compared to females. In models corrected for age and sex, Df is significantly associated with BMI, insulin, systolic blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), albumin, LDL and total cholesterol concentrations. Multifractals are negatively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose and the WHO/ISH cardiovascular risk score. Df was higher, and multifractal curve asymmetry was lower in diabetic patients (HbA1c>6.5%) compared to healthy individuals (HbA1c<5.7%). Insulin resistance (insulin≥23 mcU/mL) was associated with significantly lower Df values. One or more fractal metrics are in association with sex, age, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and biochemical blood measurements in a Middle Eastern population study. Follow-up studies aiming at investigating retinal microvascular changes in relation to cardiometabolic risk should analyse both monofractal and multifractal metrics for a more comprehensive microvascular picture.