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Grogan A, Barclay K, Colville D, Hodgson L, Savige J. Retinal small vessel dilatation in the systemic inflammatory response to surgery. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13291. [PMID: 35918491 PMCID: PMC9346005 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17467-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal microvascular calibre has been proposed as a predictor of cardiac events. Surgery is a major stimulus for inflammation which potentially affects small vessel calibre. This study examined the effects of surgery on retinal, and thus systemic, small vessel size, and the potentially confounding effect of surgery when retinal vessel calibre is used to predict cardiac risk in hospital patients. Consecutive participants were recruited from a preoperative assessment clinic at a teaching hospital. They provided demographic and clinical details, and underwent retinal imaging before and again, within 3 days after surgery, with a non-mydriatic retinal camera. Images were graded for vessel calibre using semi-automated software based on the Parr-Hubbard formula with Knudtson’s modification (IVAN, U Wisconsin). Differences were examined using Fisher’s exact test or a paired t-test, and calibre determinants identified from univariate and multiple linear regression analysis (STATA version 11.2). Sixty-eight participants (23 men, 34%) with a mean age of 55 ± 14.5 years, were recruited. Fourteen (21%) underwent a laparotomy which was considered major surgery and 54 (79%) had Other surgery. Mean C-reactive protein (CRP) levels increased post-operatively from 7.8 ± 20.2 mg/L to 43.9 ± 55.1 mg/L (p < 0.01), and mean serum albumin decreased from 38.9 ± 4.4 g/L to 33.9 ± 5.5 g/L (p < 0.01). Mean central retinal arteriole and venular equivalent calibre (CRAE, CRVE) increased post-operatively (142.4 ± 13.3 µm to 146.4 ± 13.0 µm, p < 0.01 and 213.1 ± 16.8 µm to 217.9 ± 18.3 µm, p < 0.01, respectively). The systemic microvasculature dilates post-operatively possibly secondary to inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. These changes were present within 3 days of surgery and may confound the use of small vessel calibre to predict cardiac risk in surgical inpatients. Microvascular dilatation in response to other inflammatory stimuli such as pneumonia is a known potential confounder in hospital patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Grogan
- Department of Medicine (Melbourne Health and Northern Health), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia.,Department of Surgery (Northern Health), University of Melbourne, Epping, VIC, 3076, Australia
| | - Karen Barclay
- Department of Surgery (Northern Health), University of Melbourne, Epping, VIC, 3076, Australia
| | - Deb Colville
- Department of Medicine (Melbourne Health and Northern Health), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Lauren Hodgson
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3101, Australia
| | - Judy Savige
- Department of Medicine (Melbourne Health and Northern Health), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia.
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Liu M, Lovern C, Lycett K, He M, Wake M, Wong TY, Burgner DP. The association between markers of inflammation and retinal microvascular parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Atherosclerosis 2021; 336:12-22. [PMID: 34607278 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Adverse changes to the microcirculation play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and inflammation is a key causal mechanism. We investigated the relationship between inflammatory markers and retinal microvascular parameters. METHODS Studies up to April 2021 were identified in Medline, Embase and PubMed with the following terms: retinal microvascular parameters, inflammatory markers, and observational studies. Correlation coefficients of inflammatory markers and retinal vascular caliber were pooled using the random-effects model. RESULTS Of 4783 studies identified, 36 met the inclusion criteria (general population 26, patients with diseases 10). C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) were most frequently reported. We conducted meta-analysis with 12 CRP studies (22422 participants) and six WBC studies (15209 participants), and also performed a narrative review of all studies. There was consistent evidence of a modest association between CRP and venular caliber (r = 0.09, 95%CI 0.05 to 0.12), but little evidence of an association between CRP with retinal arteriolar caliber (r = 0.00, 95%CI -0.02 to 0.02). Similarly, WBC had stronger associations with venular (r = 0.18, 95%CI 0.05 to 0.31) than arteriolar caliber (r = 0.05, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.09). Narrative review of other inflammatory markers showed consistent findings. There was little evidence of associations between inflammation markers and other microvascular parameters, fractal dimension and tortuosity. CONCLUSIONS There was more evidence for an association of inflammation with retinal venular than with arterial caliber. The findings suggest a potential druggable mechanism contributing to microvascular damage that has been relatively overlooked in CVD pathogenesis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjiao Liu
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Jiangxi, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Jiangxi, China; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Kate Lycett
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia; The Deakin Child Study Centre, School of Psychology, Deakin University, VIC, Australia
| | - Mingguang He
- Department of Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Melissa Wake
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Melbourne University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Tien Yin Wong
- Department of Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore
| | - David P Burgner
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Melbourne University, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
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A Pilot Study: Hypertension, Endothelial Dysfunction and Retinal Microvasculature in Rheumatic Autoimmune Diseases. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10184067. [PMID: 34575178 PMCID: PMC8467719 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10184067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The etiology of autoimmune rheumatic diseases is unknown. Endothelial dysfunction and premature atherosclerosis are commonly seen in these patients. Atherosclerosis is considered one of the main causes of cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension is considered the most important traditional cardiovascular risk. This case-control study aimed to investigate the relationship between autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular risk. Methods: This study was carried out in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, RA (n = 10), primary Sjögren syndrome, PSS (n = 10), and healthy controls (n = 10). Mean blood pressure (MBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse wave velocity (PWV, an indicator of arterial stiffness) were assessed via a Vicorder device. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) was measured via ELISA. Retinal photos were taken via a CR-2 retinal camera, and retinal microvasculature analysis was carried out. T-tests were conducted to compare the disease and control groups. ANOVA and ANOVA—ANCOVA were also used for the correction of covariates. Results: A high prevalence of hypertension was seen in RA (80% of cases) and PSS (40% of cases) compared to controls (only 20% of cases). Significant changes were seen in MBP (RA 101 ± 11 mmHg; PSS 93 ± 10 mm Hg vs. controls 88 ± 7 mmHg, p = 0.010), SBP (148 ± 16 mmHg in RA vs. 135 ± 16 mmHg in PSS vs. 128 ± 11 mmHg in control group; p = 0.007), DBP (77 ± 8 mmHg in RA, 72 ± 8 mmHg in PSS vs. 67 ± 6 mmHg in control; p = 0.010 in RA compared to the controls). Patients with PSS showed no significant difference as compared to controls (MBP: p = 0.240, SBP: p = 0.340, DBP: p = 0.190). Increased plasma ADMA was seen in RA (0.45 ± 0.069 ng/mL) and PSS (0.43 ± 0.060 ng/mL) patients as compared to controls (0.38 ± 0.059 ng/mL). ADMA in RA vs. control was statistically significant (p = 0.022). However, no differences were seen in ADMA in PSS vs. controls. PWV and retinal microvasculature did not differ across the three groups. Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension in our cohort was very high. Similarly, signs of endothelial dysfunction were seen in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. As hypertension and endothelial dysfunction are important contributing risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, the association of hypertension and endothelial dysfunction should be monitored closely in autoimmune diseases.
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Fitt C, Luong TV, Cresp D, Hutchinson A, Lim K, Hodgson L, Colville D, Savige J. Increased retinal venular calibre in acute infections. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17280. [PMID: 34446820 PMCID: PMC8390475 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96749-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Population-based studies have demonstrated that increased retinal venular calibre is a risk factor for cardiac disease, cardiac events and stroke. Venular dilatation also occurs with diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia and autoimmune disease where it is attributed to inflammation. This study examined whether the inflammation associated with infections also affected microvascular calibre. Participants with infections and CRP levels > 100 mg/L were recruited from the medical wards of a teaching hospital and assisted to complete a demographic and vascular risk factor questionnaire, and to undergo non-mydriatic retinal photography (Canon CR5-45NM, Japan). They were then treated with appropriate antibiotics, and underwent repeat retinal imaging when their CRP levels had fallen to less than 100 mg/L. Retinal images were examined for arteriole and venular calibre using validated semi-automated software based on Knudtson's modification of the Parr-Hubbard formula (IVAN, U Wisconsin). Differences in inflammatory markers and calibre were examined using the paired t-test for continuous variables. Determinants of calibre were calculated from multiple linear regression analysis. Forty-one participants with respiratory (27, 66%), urinary (6, 15%), skin (5, 12%), or miscellaneous (3, 7%) infections were studied. After antibiotic treatment, participants' mean CRP levels fell from 172.9 ± 68.4 mg/L to 42.2 ± 28.2 mg/L (p < 0.0001) and mean neutrophil counts fell from 9 ± 4 × 109/L to 6 ± 3 × 109/L (p < 0.0001). The participants' mean venular calibre (CRVE) decreased from 240.9 ± 26.9 MU to 233.4 ± 23.5 MU (p = 0.0017) but arteriolar calibre (CRAE) was unchanged (156.9 ± 15.2 MU and 156.2 ± 16.0 MU, p = 0.84). Thirteen additional participants with infections had a CRP > 100 mg/L that persisted at review (199.2 ± 59.0 and 159.4 ± 40.7 mg/L, p = 0.055). Their CRAE and CRVE were not different before and after antibiotic treatment (p = 0.96, p = 0.78). Hospital inpatients with severe infections had retinal venular calibre that decreased as their infections resolved and CRP levels fell after antibiotic treatment. The changes in venular calibre with intercurrent infections may confound retinal vascular assessments of, for example, blood pressure control and cardiac risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara Fitt
- Department of Medicine, Melbourne Health and Northern Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Thao Vi Luong
- Department of Medicine, Melbourne Health and Northern Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | | | | | - Karen Lim
- Northern Health, Epping, VIC, 3076, Australia
| | - Lauren Hodgson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, The University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Deb Colville
- Department of Medicine, Melbourne Health and Northern Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Judy Savige
- Department of Medicine, Melbourne Health and Northern Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia.
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Microvascular changes of the retina in ankylosing spondylitis, and the association with cardiovascular disease - the eye for a heart study. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2020; 50:1535-1541. [PMID: 32967777 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2020.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Microvasculature changes can precede overt CVD, but have been studied poorly in AS. The retinal vasculature is easily accessible and changes are associated with CVD (e.g. arteriolar narrowing, venular widening, loss of tortuosity). This proof of concept study compared the retinal microvasculature of AS patients with healthy controls, and the influence of gender. METHODS Cross-sectional case-control study comparing AS patients with healthy controls. Main inclusion criteria were: age 50-75 years, no diabetes mellitus and, for AS, fulfillment of the modified New York criteria. All subjects underwent fundus photography, analyzed with Singapore I Vessel Assessment software, and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA). Subjects were compared with generalized estimating equations (GEE). Multivariable analyses were adjusted for demographics and cardiovascular risk, and stratified for gender. RESULTS Fifty-nine AS patients and 105 controls were included (50% women). Controls were significantly older than patients (68 versus 60, p<0.01), but did not differ in cardiovascular profile. Patients had a lower retinal arteriolar tortuosity (β ̶-0.1, 95%CI [-0.2; -0.01], p = 0.02), and higher vessel density (β 0.5, 95% CI [0.1; 0.9], p = 0.02). In addition, male AS patients showed a lower arteriovenular ratio compared to male controls (β -0.03, p = 0.04, 95%CI [-0.05; -0.001]). There were no differences found between women with and without AS. CONCLUSION This study detected several retinal microvascular changes, in AS patients compared to controls, which have been associated with CVD. Retinal imaging might be an interesting tool for future CVD screening.
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Ali F, Tacey M, Lykopandis N, Colville D, Lamoureux E, Wong TY, Vangaal W, Hutchinson A, Savige J. Microvascular narrowing and BP monitoring: A single centre observational study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210625. [PMID: 30870422 PMCID: PMC6417722 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Half of all hypertensive individuals have inadequately-controlled BP because monitoring methods are ineffective. This single centre study examined consecutive subjects undergoing 24 hour BP measurements for clinic and ambulatory BP levels, and for end-organ damage (retinal microvascular abnormalities and left ventricular hypertrophy, LVH, > 1.1 cm). Retinal images were graded for microvascular retinopathy (Wong and Mitchell classification), and vessel calibre using a semiautomated method. Features were compared using chi-squared, Fisher’s exact or the student’s t test. Methods One hundred and thirty-one individuals (59 male, 45.0%, mean age 61.7 ± 14.5 years) were studied. Ninety-nine (76.2%) had a clinic BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg, 84 (64.6%) had a mean awake systolic BP ≥ 135 mm Hg, 100 (76.9%) had a mean sleeping systolic BP ≥ 120 mm Hg, and 100 (76.2%) had abnormal nocturnal BP dipping patterns. Sixty-nine individuals had undergone echocardiography and 23 (33.3%) had LVH. Results All participants had a mild (88.5%) or moderate (11.5%) microvascular retinopathy. Moderate microvascular retinopathy was found in 86.7% of those with a mean awake systolic BP ≥135 mm Hg (p = 0.058) but was not associated with other abnormal BP measurements, abnormal dipping patterns or LVH. However retinal arteriole calibre was reduced in subjects with a mean 24 hour awake systolic BP ≥ 135 mm Hg (p = 0.05). Retinal arteriole calibre was smaller in subjects with LVH (128.1 ± 13.5 μm compared with 137.6 ± 14.1 μm in normals, p = 0.014). Venular calibre was also less in subjects with LVH (185.4 ± 24.6 μm compared with 203.0 ± 27.2 μm in normals, p = 0.016). Arteriole narrowing predicted an increased risk of LVH (AUC 0.69, 95%CI 0.55 to 0.83) that was comparable with 24 hour systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg (AUC 0.68, 95%CI 0.53 to 0.82) and mean awake systolic BP ≥135 mm Hg (AUC 0.68, 95%CI 0.54 to 0.83). Conclusions This study suggests that retinal arteriole narrowing may be equally accurate in predicting LVH as any clinic or ambulatory BP measurement. The convenience and accuracy of microvascular calibre measurement mean that it should be investigated further for a role in routine hypertension assessment and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariya Ali
- The University of Melbourne Department of Medicine, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Tacey
- The University of Melbourne Department of Medicine, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nick Lykopandis
- Department of Cardiology, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deb Colville
- The University of Melbourne Department of Medicine, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ecosse Lamoureux
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tien Y. Wong
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - William Vangaal
- The University of Melbourne Department of Medicine, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anastasia Hutchinson
- The University of Melbourne Department of Medicine, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
| | - Judy Savige
- The University of Melbourne Department of Medicine, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Deiseroth A, Marcin T, Berger C, Infanger D, Schäfer J, Bannert B, Schmidt-Trucksäss A, Voll RE, Kyburz D, Hanssen H. Retinal Vessel Diameters and Physical Activity in Patients With Mild to Moderate Rheumatic Disease Without Cardiovascular Comorbidities. Front Physiol 2018; 9:176. [PMID: 29593551 PMCID: PMC5854847 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Low-grade systemic inflammation is responsible for atherosclerotic lesions in patients with rheumatic diseases. Vascular dysfunction is a precursor of atherosclerosis and can be improved by physical activity (PA). Our aim was to asses micro- and macrovascular function as well as PA and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in patients with rheumatic diseases in the absence of cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities compared to controls. Methods: Fifty-one patients without CV comorbidities were compared to 35 controls. Retinal microvascular diameters were assessed using a Retinal Vessel Analyzer. Arterial stiffness (AST) was measured by applanation tonometry. CRF was assessed as peak oxygen consumption and PA was assessed with a questionnaire. Results: Retinal venular diameters were significantly wider in patients [median 221 μm (interquartile range (IQR) 211, 231)] compared to controls [median 215 μm (IQR 196, 223); p = 0.01]. One hour increase of PA per week led to a venular constriction of -0.56 μm (95%CI -1.09, -0.03; p = 0.04). In our patients with low disease activity (median DAS28 1.9; median BASDAI 2.8), no differences in AST were evident compared to controls. The association of PA and CRF with AST was not independent of blood pressure. Conclusions: Patients with rheumatic disease and mild-to-moderate disease activity show an impairment of the retinal microvasculature but not of large artery stiffness. Retinal vessel analysis seems to be a sensitive biomarker to unmask vascular impairments even in the absence of classic CV risk factors. PA may have the potential to counteract the development of small artery disease at early stages of rheumatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Deiseroth
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thimo Marcin
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Colette Berger
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Denis Infanger
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Juliane Schäfer
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bettina Bannert
- Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
| | | | - Reinhard E Voll
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
| | - Diego Kyburz
- Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Henner Hanssen
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Aissopou EK, Protogerou AD, Papaioannou TG, Tektonidou M, Tentolouris N, Theodossiadis PG, Stehouwer CD, Kitas GD, Sfikakis PP. Retinal vascular calibers in contemporary patients with chronic systemic inflammatory diseases: The Greek REtinal Microcirculation (GREM) study. Artery Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.artres.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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9
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A prospective case-control study to investigate retinal microvascular changes in acute dengue infection. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17183. [PMID: 26603217 PMCID: PMC4658599 DOI: 10.1038/srep17183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue infection can affect the microcirculation by direct viral infection or activation of inflammation. We aimed to determine whether measured retinal vascular parameters were associated with acute dengue infection. Patients with acute dengue were recruited from Communicable Diseases Center, Singapore and age-gender-ethnicity matched healthy controls were selected from a population-based study. Retinal photographs were taken on recruitment and convalescence. A spectrum of quantitative retinal microvascular parameters (retinal vascular caliber, fractal dimension, tortuosity and branching angle) was measured using a semi-automated computer-based program. (Singapore I Vessel Assessment, version 3.0). We included 62 dengue patients and 127 controls. Dengue cases were more likely to have wider retinal arteriolar and venular calibers (158.3 μm vs 144.3 μm, p < 0.001; 227.7 μm vs 212.8 μm, p < 0.001; respectively), higher arteriolar and venular fractal dimensions (1.271 vs 1.249, p = 0.002; 1.268 vs. 1.230, p < 0.001, respectively), higher arteriolar and venular tortuosity (0.730 vs 0.546 [x104], p < 0.001; 0.849 vs 0.658 [x104], p < 0.001; respectively), compared to controls. Resolution of acute dengue coincided with decrease in retinal vascular calibers and venular fractal dimension. Dengue patients have altered microvascular network in the retina; these changes may reflect pathophysiological processes in the immune system.
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10
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Moi JHY, Hodgson LAB, Wicks IP, Wong TY, Van Doornum S. Suppression of inflammatory disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis is associated with improvements in retinal microvascular health. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2015; 55:246-51. [PMID: 26338663 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kev304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of suppressing inflammation on retinal microvascular health in patients with RA. METHODS Two groups of patients with RA were recruited and studied concurrently. Group A included patients with moderate to high disease activity [28-joint DAS with CRP (DAS28-CRP) >3.2] requiring treatment escalation, while group B had stable low disease activity (DAS28-CRP ≤3.2) not requiring treatment escalation. Retinal photography was performed at baseline and weeks 6 and 24 in group A and at baseline and week 12 in group B. RESULTS Group A included 26 patients with a mean age of 50.7 years (s.d. 3.5) and a mean disease duration of 7.1 years (s.d. 8.0). Disease activity significantly improved during follow-up and was accompanied by a significant reduction in retinal venular calibre at week 6 [mean difference (MD) -7.9 μm (95% CI -13.3, -2.5)] and at week 24 [MD -6.8 μm (95% CI -12.2, -1.4)]. No significant change in retinal arteriolar calibre was identified at week 6 [MD -0.6 μm (95% CI -4.5, 3.28)] or week 24 [MD 0.7 μm (95% CI -3.1, 4.5)]. Group B included 27 patients with a mean age of 54.6 years (s.d. 1.8) and a mean disease duration of 14.5 years (s.d. 10.9). Disease activity and therapy remained unchanged during follow-up and no significant changes in retinal venular [MD 1.81 μm (95% CI -2.32, 5.95)] or arteriolar [MD 0.54 μm (95% CI -2.77, 3.86)] calibre were observed. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that suppression of inflammation in RA is associated with a reduction of retinal venular calibre, suggesting that therapies targeting inflammation could improve vascular health in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Hsing-Yih Moi
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Department of Rheumatology, Royal Melbourne Hospital,
| | - Lauren A B Hodgson
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
| | - Ian P Wicks
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Department of Rheumatology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Inflammation Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia and
| | - Tien Yin Wong
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Singapore Eye Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sharon Van Doornum
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Department of Rheumatology, Royal Melbourne Hospital
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Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common autoimmune disorder associated with dry eye syndrome, is also associated with sight-threatening ocular diseases such as peripheral ulcerative keratitis, scleritis and corneal melts. Tissue damage on the ocular surface of patients with RA is autoimmune-mediated. Findings from patients with dry eye have implicated defects in innate immunity (Toll-like receptors, S100A and resident antigen-presenting cells), cytokines, chemokines and T helper (TH)-cell subsets (including TH1 and TH17) in disease pathogenesis. Some of these features are probably important in dry eye related to RA, which can occur at a different time from articular disease and is more clinically severe than idiopathic dry eye. Ocular surface immune factors can be influenced by the systemic immune landscape. Depending on the severity of ocular inflammation in RA, treatment can include ciclosporin, topical corticosteroids, tacrolimus, autologous serum and systemic immunosuppression. Tissue damage is treated by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases. Potential therapeutic strategies benefit from an improved understanding of ocular surface immunology, and include targeting of T-cell subsets, B-cell signalling or cytokines.
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