Clinical significance of subclinical atherosclerosis in retinal vein occlusion

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 7;11(1):11905. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-91401-1.

Abstract

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk factors; however, its association with the specific markers of subclinical atherosclerosis has not yet been established. To investigate this association, we compared 70 patients with RVO to 70 age- and sex-matched patients without RVO. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were significantly higher in the RVO group than in the control group. Carotid plaques (54.3% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.004) were more frequent in the RVO group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of carotid plaques (odds ratio [OR]: 3.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-7.16, p = 0.006), as well as smoking, LDL-C level, and baPWV were associated with RVO. Additionally, a multinomial logistic regression model showed that the presence of carotid plaques (OR: 3.94, 95% CI 1.65-9.41, p = 0.002) and LDL-C level were associated with branch RVO, whereas smoking and baPWV were associated with central RVO. In conclusion, RVO was associated with subclinical atherosclerosis markers, including carotid plaques and baPWV. These results support the hypothesis that atherosclerosis contributes to the etiology of RVO and suggest the evaluation of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with RVO.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ankle Brachial Index*
  • Atherosclerosis / complications
  • Atherosclerosis / diagnosis*
  • Atherosclerosis / physiopathology
  • Biomarkers / analysis*
  • Carotid Arteries / pathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cholesterol, LDL / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pulse Wave Analysis*
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / diagnosis*
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / etiology
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / physiopathology
  • Risk Factors
  • Vascular Stiffness

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cholesterol, LDL