We have located links that may give you full text access.
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Retinal microvascular abnormalities and incident stroke: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.
Lancet 2001 October 7
BACKGROUND: Retinal microvascular abnormalities reflect damage from hypertension and other vascular processes. We examined the relation of such abnormalities to incident stroke.
METHODS: A cohort of 10358 men and women (aged 51 to 72 years) living in four US communities underwent retinal photography and standard grading for retinal microvascular abnormalities. The calibres of all retinal arterioles and venules were measured after digital conversion of the photographs, and a summary arteriole-to-venule ratio (AVR) was calculated as an index of arteriolar narrowing (smaller AVR indicates greater narrowing). Cases of incident stroke admitted to hospital were identified and validated by case record reviews.
FINDINGS: Over an average of 3.5 years, 110 participants had incident strokes. After adjustment for age, sex, race, 6-year mean arterial blood pressure, diabetes, and other stroke risk factors, most retinal microvascular characteristics were predictive of incident stroke, with adjusted relative risks of 2.58 (1.59-4.20) for any retinopathy, 3.11 (1.71-5.65) for microaneurysms, 3.08 (1.42-6.68) for soft exudates, 2.55 (1.27-5.14) for blot haemorrhages, 2.26 (1.00-5.12) for flame-shaped haemorrhages, and 1.60 (1.03-2.47) for arteriovenous nicking. The relative risk of stroke increased with decreasing AVR (p=0.03). The associations were similar for ischaemic strokes specifically, and for strokes in individuals with hypertension, either with or without diabetes.
INTERPRETATION: Retinal microvascular abnormalities are related to incident stroke. The findings support a microvascular role in the pathogenesis of stroke. They suggest that retinal photography may be useful for cerebrovascular-risk stratification in appropriate populations.
METHODS: A cohort of 10358 men and women (aged 51 to 72 years) living in four US communities underwent retinal photography and standard grading for retinal microvascular abnormalities. The calibres of all retinal arterioles and venules were measured after digital conversion of the photographs, and a summary arteriole-to-venule ratio (AVR) was calculated as an index of arteriolar narrowing (smaller AVR indicates greater narrowing). Cases of incident stroke admitted to hospital were identified and validated by case record reviews.
FINDINGS: Over an average of 3.5 years, 110 participants had incident strokes. After adjustment for age, sex, race, 6-year mean arterial blood pressure, diabetes, and other stroke risk factors, most retinal microvascular characteristics were predictive of incident stroke, with adjusted relative risks of 2.58 (1.59-4.20) for any retinopathy, 3.11 (1.71-5.65) for microaneurysms, 3.08 (1.42-6.68) for soft exudates, 2.55 (1.27-5.14) for blot haemorrhages, 2.26 (1.00-5.12) for flame-shaped haemorrhages, and 1.60 (1.03-2.47) for arteriovenous nicking. The relative risk of stroke increased with decreasing AVR (p=0.03). The associations were similar for ischaemic strokes specifically, and for strokes in individuals with hypertension, either with or without diabetes.
INTERPRETATION: Retinal microvascular abnormalities are related to incident stroke. The findings support a microvascular role in the pathogenesis of stroke. They suggest that retinal photography may be useful for cerebrovascular-risk stratification in appropriate populations.
Full text links
Related Resources
Trending Papers
Challenges in Septic Shock: From New Hemodynamics to Blood Purification Therapies.Journal of Personalized Medicine 2024 Februrary 4
Molecular Targets of Novel Therapeutics for Diabetic Kidney Disease: A New Era of Nephroprotection.International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2024 April 4
The 'Ten Commandments' for the 2023 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of endocarditis.European Heart Journal 2024 April 18
A Guide to the Use of Vasopressors and Inotropes for Patients in Shock.Journal of Intensive Care Medicine 2024 April 14
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app