Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Retinal microvascular signs are associated with chronic kidney disease in persons with and without diabetes.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Liew, G; Mitchell, P; Wong, TY; Wang, JJ
Published in: Kidney Blood Press Res
2012

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In persons with diabetes, retinal microvascular abnormalities are associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, it is not clear if the same relationship applies in persons without diabetes. METHODS: We examined 2,971 participants from a population-based study (240 with, 2,731 without diabetes). Retinal photographs were masked graded for retinal microvascular signs, and CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR(MDRD)) <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2). RESULTS: Retinal microvascular signs were more frequent in persons with CKD. After adjusting for age, gender, systolic blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose, CKD was associated with both presence of retinopathy (odds ratio, OR, 1.2, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.0-1.5) and venular dilation (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.5). These associations were similar in persons with and without diabetes. There was a significant trend for increasing magnitude of associations of retinopathy with increasing severity levels of CKD (p for trend 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal microvascular signs, namely retinopathy lesions and venular dilation, are associated with CKD both in persons with, and without diabetes. This supports the concept that retinal microvascular signs are indicators of generalized microvascular disease even in the absence of diabetes, and reinforces the link between retinal and renal microcirculations.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Kidney Blood Press Res

DOI

EISSN

1423-0143

Publication Date

2012

Volume

35

Issue

6

Start / End Page

589 / 594

Location

Switzerland

Related Subject Headings

  • Urology & Nephrology
  • Retinal Diseases
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
  • Population Surveillance
  • Middle Aged
  • Microcirculation
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Liew, G., Mitchell, P., Wong, T. Y., & Wang, J. J. (2012). Retinal microvascular signs are associated with chronic kidney disease in persons with and without diabetes. Kidney Blood Press Res, 35(6), 589–594. https://doi.org/10.1159/000339173
Liew, G., P. Mitchell, T. Y. Wong, and J. J. Wang. “Retinal microvascular signs are associated with chronic kidney disease in persons with and without diabetes.Kidney Blood Press Res 35, no. 6 (2012): 589–94. https://doi.org/10.1159/000339173.
Liew G, Mitchell P, Wong TY, Wang JJ. Retinal microvascular signs are associated with chronic kidney disease in persons with and without diabetes. Kidney Blood Press Res. 2012;35(6):589–94.
Liew, G., et al. “Retinal microvascular signs are associated with chronic kidney disease in persons with and without diabetes.Kidney Blood Press Res, vol. 35, no. 6, 2012, pp. 589–94. Pubmed, doi:10.1159/000339173.
Liew G, Mitchell P, Wong TY, Wang JJ. Retinal microvascular signs are associated with chronic kidney disease in persons with and without diabetes. Kidney Blood Press Res. 2012;35(6):589–594.
Journal cover image

Published In

Kidney Blood Press Res

DOI

EISSN

1423-0143

Publication Date

2012

Volume

35

Issue

6

Start / End Page

589 / 594

Location

Switzerland

Related Subject Headings

  • Urology & Nephrology
  • Retinal Diseases
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
  • Population Surveillance
  • Middle Aged
  • Microcirculation
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Diabetic Retinopathy