Impact of Ideal Cardiovascular Health in Childhood on the Retinal Microvasculature in Midadulthood: Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Standardization and clinical applications of retinal imaging biomarkers for cardiovascular disease: a Roadmap from an NHLBI workshop

The accessibility of the retina with the use of non-invasive and relatively low-cost ophthalmic imaging techniques and analytics provides a unique opportunity to improve the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of systemic diseases. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute conducted a workshop in October 2022 to examine this concept. On the basis of the discussions at that workshop, this Roadmap describes current knowledge gaps and new research opportunities to evaluate the relationships between the eye (in particular, retinal biomarkers) and the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, hypertension and vascular dementia. Identified gaps include the need to simplify and standardize the capture of high-quality images of the eye by non-ophthalmic health workers and to conduct longitudinal studies using multidisciplinary networks of diverse at-risk populations with improved implementation and methods to protect participant and dataset privacy. Other gaps include improving the measurement of structural and functional retinal biomarkers, determining the relationship between microvascular and macrovascular risk factors, improving multimodal imaging 'pipelines', and integrating advanced imaging with 'omics', lifestyle factors, primary care data and radiological reports, by using artificial intelligence technology to improve the identification of individual-level risk. Future research on retinal microvascular disease and retinal biomarkers might additionally provide insights into the temporal development of microvascular disease across other systemic vascular beds.

Association of Ideal Cardiovascular Health in Youth with Cancer Risk in Adulthood: A Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

BACKGROUND

Lifestyle factors may affect cancer risk. This study aimed to identify whether the American Heart Association ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) score and its individual variables in youth are associated with subsequent cancer incidence.

METHODS

This study comprised participants of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study free of cancer at the analysis baseline in 1986 (n = 1,873). The baseline age was 12 to 24 years, and the follow-up occurred between 1986 and 2018.

RESULTS

Among 1,873 participants (mean age 17.3 ± 4.1 years; 53.4% females at baseline), 72 incident cancer cases occurred during the follow-up (mean follow-up time 31.4 ± 3.4 years). Baseline ICH score was not associated with future cancer risk (HR, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-1.12 per 1-point increment). Of individual ICH score variables, ideal physical activity (PA) was inversely associated with cancer incidence [age- and sex-adjusted HR, 0.45 (0.23-0.88) per 1-category change (nonideal/ideal)] and remained significant in the multivariable-adjusted model, including body mass index, smoking, diet, and socioeconomic status. A continuous PA index at ages 9 to 24 years and moderate-to-vigorous PA in youth were also related to decreased cancer incidence (P < 0.05). Body mass index, smoking, diet, total cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure were not related to cancer risk. Of the dietary components, meat consumption was associated with cancer incidence (P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that higher PA levels in youth are associated with a reduced subsequent cancer incidence, whereas the American Heart Association's ICH score in youth does not.

IMPACT

This finding supports efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourages PA during childhood, yielding a subsequent healthier life.

Life Course Cardiovascular Health: Risk Factors, Outcomes, and Interventions

Since it was first defined by the American Heart Association in 2010, cardiovascular health (CVH) has been extensively studied across the life course. In this review, we present the current literature examining early life predictors of CVH, the later life outcomes of child CVH, and the relatively few interventions which have specifically addressed how to preserve and promote CVH across populations. We find that research on CVH has demonstrated that prenatal and childhood exposures are consistently associated with CVH trajectories from childhood through adulthood. CVH measured at any point in life is strongly predictive of future cardiovascular disease, dementia, cancer, and mortality as well as a variety of other health outcomes. This speaks to the importance of intervening early to prevent the loss of optimal CVH and the accumulation of cardiovascular risk. Interventions to improve CVH are not common but those that have been published most often address multiple modifiable risk factors among individuals within the community. Relatively few interventions have been focused on improving the construct of CVH in children. Future research is needed that will be both effective, scalable, and sustainable. Technology including digital platforms as well as implementation science will play key roles in achieving this vision. In addition, community engagement at all stages of this research is critical. Lastly, prevention strategies that are tailored to the individual and their context may help us achieve the promise of personalized prevention and help promote ideal CVH in childhood and across the life course.

Association between cardiovascular health metrics and retinal ageing

The study aims to investigate associations between cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics and retinal ageing indexed by retinal age gap. A total of 26,354 participants from the UK Biobank study with available CVH metrics and qualified retinal imaging were included in the present analysis. CVH included 7 metrics (smoking, physical activity, diet, body mass index [BMI], total cholesterol, blood pressure [BP], blood glucose). These were summarized to classify the overall CVH as poor (0-7), intermediate (8-10) or ideal (11-14). Retinal age gap was defined as the difference between biological age predicted by fundus images and chronological age. Accelerated and non-accelerated retinal ageing was defined if retinal age gap was in the upper or lower 50% quantiles of the study population, respectively. Linear and logistic regression models estimated the association of overall CVH and each metric of CVH with retinal age gap respectively. Our results showed that in the fully adjusted model, each one-unit score increase in overall CVH was negatively associated with retinal age gap (odds ratio [OR] = 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87-0.92, P < 0.001). Compared with poor overall CVH, people with intermediate and ideal overall CVH had significantly lower retinal age gap (OR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.67-0.85, P < 0.001; OR = 0.58, 95%CI: 0.50-0.67, P < 0.001). Similar associations were found between overall CVH and accelerated retinal ageing. CVH metrics including smoking, BMI, BP, and blood glucose were also significantly associated with higher retinal age gap. Taken together, we found a significant and inverse dose-response association between CVH metrics and retinal age gap, indicating that maintaining healthy metrics especially smoking, BMI, BP, and blood glucose may be crucial to slow down biological ageing.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2023 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2022 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. The American Heart Association strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) publications, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains.

RESULTS

Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Multimodal deep learning of fundus abnormalities and traditional risk factors for cardiovascular risk prediction

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death globally, is associated with complicated underlying risk factors. We develop an artificial intelligence model to identify CVD using multimodal data, including clinical risk factors and fundus photographs from the Samsung Medical Center (SMC) for development and internal validation and from the UK Biobank for external validation. The multimodal model achieves an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.781 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.766-0.798) in the SMC and 0.872 (95% CI 0.857-0.886) in the UK Biobank. We further observe a significant association between the incidence of CVD and the predicted risk from at-risk patients in the UK Biobank (hazard ratio [HR] 6.28, 95% CI 4.72-8.34). We visualize the importance of individual features in photography and traditional risk factors. The results highlight that non-invasive fundus photography can be a possible predictive marker for CVD.

Ideal Cardiovascular Health in adolescents: Findings from Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We assessed the Ideal Cardiovascular Health (CVH) in Brazilian adolescents according to demographics and socioeconomic characteristics.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is a cross-sectional study with data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), with a nationwide representative sample of 36,956 Brazilian adolescents, aged 12-17 years, enrolled in public and private schools. The CVH metrics considered were body mass index (BMI), physical activity, smoking, healthy diet score, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and total cholesterol. The demographics and socioeconomic characteristics analyzed were sex, age, race/skin color, and type of school attended. The study design was considered, and the significant difference determined by the non-overlapping of 95% Confidence Interval. The mean ideal CVH score was 4.0, higher for females, adolescents aged 15-17 years, and students from private schools. The prevalence of ideal fasting plasma glucose was 96%, of non-smoking 95.6%, of ideal blood pressure 75.5%, of ideal BMI 73.2%, of ideal total cholesterol 55.4%, of ideal physical activity 45.2%, and only 0.5% had an ideal diet. The prevalence of ideal CVH metrics varied according to demographics and socioeconomic characteristics.

CONCLUSION

Females, older adolescents, and students who attended private school had a better CVH. Demographics and socioeconomic characteristics were associated with CVH metrics. The low ideal proportions found for diet and physical activity are of concern and reinforce the need for food and nutritional educational actions designed to promote healthy behaviors in adolescence to prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Association of cardiovascular health with diabetic complications, all-cause mortality, and life expectancy among people with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

We aimed to assess the impact of healthy cardiovascular health (CVH) on diabetic complications, mortality, and life expectancy among people with type 2 diabetes and to explore whether inflammation marker mediate these associations.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included 33,236 participants (aged 40-72) with type 2 diabetes from the UK Biobank with annual follow-up from 2006 to 2010 to 2020. Type 2 diabetes was ascertained from self-report, glycated hemoglobin ≥ 6.5%, hospital inpatient registry, or glucose-lowering medication use. Information on mortality was derived from the national death registry. Favorable CVH metrics consisted of non-smoker, regular physical activity, a healthy diet, non-overweight, untreated resting blood pressure < 120/<80 mm Hg, and untreated total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL. Participants were categorized into three groups according to the number of favorable CVH metrics: unfavorable (0 or 1); intermediate (any 2 or 3); and favorable (4 or more). Inflammation marker, as measured by C-reactive protein (CRP), was assessed at baseline and categorized as low (≤ 3 mg/L) and high (> 3 mg/L). Data were analyzed using Cox regression models, flexible parametric survival models, and mediation models.

RESULTS

During the follow-up (median: 11.7 years), 3133 (9.4%) cases of diabetes complications and 4701 (14.1%) deaths occurred. Compared to unfavorable CVH, favorable CVH was associated with a reduced risk of diabetes complications (HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.26-0.47) and all-cause mortality (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.43-0.65). In participants with unfavorable CVH, life expectancy at age 45 had a significantly reduction of 7.20 (95% CI, 5.48-8.92) years compared to those with a favorable CVH. Among people with type 2 diabetes, the proportions of diabetes complications and all-cause mortality that would be reduced by promoting the favorable CVH was 61.5% and 39.1%, respectively. CRP level mediated 14.3% and 29.7% of the associations between CVH and diabetic complication and all-cause mortality, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A favorable CVH was associated with lower risk of diabetes complications and mortality risk, and was associated with a longer life expectancy among people with type 2 diabetes. This association may be in part accounted for by inflammatory processes. Our findings highlight the importance of favorable CVH for the prevention of diabetic complications and all-cause mortality among people with type 2 diabetes, and underscores the need to monitor inflammation among people with unfavorable CVH.

Retinal vessel diameters and function in cardiovascular risk and disease

In the last two decades evidence has gradually accumulated suggesting that the eye may be a unique window for cardiovascular risk stratification based on the assessment of subclinical damage of retinal microvascular structure and function. This can be facilitated by non-invasive analysis of static retinal vessel diameters and dynamic recording of flicker light-induced and endothelial function-related dilation of both retinal arterioles and venules. Recent new findings have made retinal microvascular biomarkers strong candidates for clinical implementation as reliable risk predictors. Beyond a review of the current evidence and state of research, the article aims to discuss the methodological benefits and pitfalls and to identify research gaps and future directions. Above all, the potential use for screening and treatment monitoring of cardiovascular disease risk are highlighted. The article provides fundamental comprehension of retinal vessel imaging by explaining anatomical and physiological essentials of the retinal microcirculation leading to a detailed description of the methodological approach. This allows for better understanding of the underlying retinal microvascular pathology associated with the prevalence and development of cardiovascular disease. A body of new evidence is presented on the clinical validity and predictive value of retinal vessel diameters and function for incidence cardiovascular disease and outcome. Findings in children indicate the potential for utility in childhood cardiovascular disease prevention, and the efficacy of exercise interventions highlight the treatment sensitivity of retinal microvascular biomarkers. Finally, coming from the availability of normative data, solutions for diagnostic challenges are discussed and conceptual steps towards clinical implementation are put into perspective.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2022 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update. The 2022 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. This year's edition includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population and an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, adverse pregnancy outcomes, vascular contributions to brain health, and the global burden of cardiovascular disease and healthy life expectancy.

RESULTS

Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Postprandial vascular-inflammatory and thrombotic responses to high-fat feeding are augmented by manipulating the lipid droplet size distribution

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Postprandial responses are influenced not only by the type and amount of fat ingested, but also lipid droplet size distribution. However, little research has investigated the impact of differential lipid size distributions within a mixed-macronutrient meal context on postprandial vascular health. Therefore, we examined whether manipulating the lipid droplet size distribution within a mixed-macronutrient meal impacts vascular-inflammatory and thrombotic parameters.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a randomised and counterbalanced fashion, sixteen adults (8 males; age 34 ± 7 years; BMI of 25.3 ± 4.5 kg/m²) completed three separate fasted morning-time feeding challenges, each separated by a minimum washout of 7-days. On each occasion, test-meals matched for carbohydrate and protein content differing only in fat amount and the lipid droplet size distribution were administered, such that participants consumed (1) a low-fat meal (LF) with negligible fat content, (2) an emulsified-high-fat meal with a fine lipid droplet size (FE), or (3) an emulsified-high-fat meal with a coarse lipid droplet size (CE). Periodic blood samples were retrospectively analysed for plasma triglycerides, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), tissue factor (TF), fibrinogen, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Triglyceride concentrations increased rapidly overtime under FE (P-time<0.05); this rise was attenuated under CE (P-time>0.05) and was comparable to LF (P-condition>0.05). Similarly, FE induced a significant rise in TNFα, TF, fibrinogen, and PAI-1 (P-time<0.05); these parameters remained unchanged under LF and CE (P-time>0.05).

CONCLUSION

A high-fat mixed-macronutrient meal with a larger lipid droplet size distribution ameliorates the associated rise in vascular-inflammatory and thrombotic parameters.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN88881254.

American Heart Association ideal cardiovascular health score and subclinical atherosclerosis in 22-35-year-old adults conceived with and without assisted reproductive technologies

STUDY QUESTION

Is ART related with the association of American Heart Association (AHA) ideal cardiovascular health score and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis?

SUMMARY ANSWER

The associations between AHA score and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in ART and non-ART groups were similar in magnitude.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Long-term consequences of ART on cardiovascular health are unknown.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

The study cohort for the cross-sectional analyses consisted of 172 ART-conceived and 78 non-ART conceived individuals of same age (range 22-35 years).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Cardiovascular risk factor status was evaluated with American Heart Association (AHA) ideal cardiovascular health score consisting of seven factors (body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, glucose, diet and physical activity, non-smoking). Carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT), arterial pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and retinal microvascular parameters were evaluated as markers of early atherosclerosis. Group comparisons in continuous variables were performed with t-tests. For categorical variables, comparisons were performed with chi-square tests. The relationships between AHA score and the markers of atherosclerosis were examined with linear regression analyses adjusted for age and sex.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

There was no difference in AHA ideal health score between the ART and non-ART groups; mean (SD) scores were 4.1(1.4) versus 4.0(1.5), respectively, P = 0.65. No differences were observed between groups for any individual ideal health metric (P always >0.2). AHA score was not associated with cIMT or retinal measures in either group (P always >0.05). An inverse association was observed between AHA score and PWV in the ART group (beta (95% CI) -0.18(-0.26 to -0.10)). A numerically similar relationship was observed in the smaller non-ART group (-0.19(-0.39 to 0.01)).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Even though this cohort is among the largest ART studies with extensive cardiovascular data, the sample is still relatively small and the statistical power is limited. As the study population was still in early adulthood, we were not able to evaluate the associations with clinical cardiovascular events, but utilized non-invasive methods to assess early markers of subclinical atherosclerosis.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

These findings suggest that ART-conceived individuals do not have increased vulnerability for cardiovascular risk factors.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This study was funded by a National Health & Medical Research Council Project Grant (APP1099641), The Royal Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Monash IVF Research and Education Foundation, and Reproductive Biology Unit Sperm Fund, Melbourne IVF. The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose.

Independent and Synergistic Effects of High Blood Pressure and Obesity on Retinal Vasculature in Young Children: The Hong Kong Children Eye Study

Background High blood pressure (BP) and obesity are becoming increasingly prevalent among children globally. Although prior studies have shown their adverse impacts on macrovascular health, less is known about their effects on microvascular heath. This study aims to evaluate the independent and synergistic effects of hypertensive BP and obesity on retinal vasculature in young children. Method and Results 1006 children aged 6 to 8 years were recruited from the Hong Kong Children Eye Study. Quantitative retinal vascular parameters, including central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalents and retinal arteriolar and venular fractal dimensions, were measured from retinal photographs following a standardized protocol. BP and body mass index were categorized according to reference values from American Academy of Pediatrics and International Obesity Task Force guidelines respectively. Children with hypertensive systolic BP had the narrowest central retinal arteriolar equivalents compared with children with either elevated or normotensive systolic BP (162.4, 164.6, and 167.1 µm; P-trend <0.001). Increased standardized systolic BP was associated with narrower central retinal arteriolar equivalents (β=-2.276 µm, P<0.001), wider central retinal venular equivalents (1.177, P=0.007), and decreased arteriolar fractal dimensions (β=-0.004, P=0.034). Children with obesity had the smallest arteriolar fractal dimensions compared with children with overweightness and normal weight (1.211, 1.234, and 1.240; P-trend=0.004). Children with both hypertensive BP and either overweightness or obesity had the narrowest central retinal arteriolar equivalents and smallest arteriolar D_f (P-trend<0.001 and P-trend=0.007). Conclusions Our findings demonstrate the potential synergistic or additive effects for both hypertensive BP and obesity on retinal vasculature in children.

Age and sex affect deep learning prediction of cardiometabolic risk factors from retinal images

Deep neural networks can extract clinical information, such as diabetic retinopathy status and individual characteristics (e.g. age and sex), from retinal images. Here, we report the first study to train deep learning models with retinal images from 3,000 Qatari citizens participating in the Qatar Biobank study. We investigated whether fundus images can predict cardiometabolic risk factors, such as age, sex, blood pressure, smoking status, glycaemic status, total lipid panel, sex steroid hormones and bioimpedance measurements. Additionally, the role of age and sex as mediating factors when predicting cardiometabolic risk factors from fundus images was studied. Predictions at person-level were made by combining information of an optic disc centred and a macula centred image of both eyes with deep learning models using the MobileNet-V2 architecture. An accurate prediction was obtained for age (mean absolute error (MAE): 2.78 years) and sex (area under the curve: 0.97), while an acceptable performance was achieved for systolic blood pressure (MAE: 8.96 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (MAE: 6.84 mmHg), Haemoglobin A1c (MAE: 0.61%), relative fat mass (MAE: 5.68 units) and testosterone (MAE: 3.76 nmol/L). We discovered that age and sex were mediating factors when predicting cardiometabolic risk factors from fundus images. We have found that deep learning models indirectly predict sex when trained for testosterone. For blood pressure, Haemoglobin A1c and relative fat mass an influence of age and sex was observed. However, achieved performance cannot be fully explained by the influence of age and sex. In conclusion we confirm that age and sex can be predicted reliably from a fundus image and that unique information is stored in the retina that relates to blood pressure, Haemoglobin A1c and relative fat mass. Future research should focus on stratification when predicting person characteristics from a fundus image.

Childhood Oral Infections Associate with Adulthood Metabolic Syndrome: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

Chronic oral infection/inflammation is cross-sectionally associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults, but there are few longitudinal studies and studies on childhood oral infections and adult MetS risk. We investigated whether childhood clinical parameters indicative of oral infection/inflammation were associated with adulthood MetS and its components. A total of 755 children aged 6, 9, and 12 y underwent a clinical oral examination in 1980 as part of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Oral health measures included bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal probing pocket depth, caries, fillings, and visible plaque. Metabolic parameters were determined at baseline and during follow-up. MetS was diagnosed (n = 588, 77.9%) in the adulthood at 21 y (in 2001), 27 y (in 2007), and 31 y (in 2011) after the oral assessment, when the participants were 27 to 43 y old. Regression analyses were adjusted for childhood age, sex, body mass index, and family income, as well as adulthood smoking and education level. In adulthood, MetS was diagnosed in 11.9% (2001), 18.7% (2007), and 20.7% (2011) of participants at the 3 follow-ups. Childhood caries and fillings were associated with increased risk of adult MetS (risk ratio [95% CI], 1.25 [0.90 to 2.45] and 1.27 [1.02 to 1.99]) and with increased systolic blood pressure (1.78 [1.01 to 4.26] and 2.48 [1.11 to 4.12]) and waist circumference (2.25 [1.02 to 4.99] and 1.56 [1.01 to 3.25]), whereas BOP and visible plaque were associated with plasma glucose (1.97 [1.08 to 3.60] and 1.88 [1.00 to 3.53]). Severity of BOP (P = 0.015) and caries (P = 0.005) and teeth with plaque (P = 0.027) were associated with number of MetS components. No such trends were seen with probing pocket depth. Childhood oral infection/inflammation was associated with adverse metabolic parameters and MetS in adulthood.

Do body mass index and waist-to-height ratio over the preceding decade predict retinal microvasculature in 11-12 year olds and midlife adults?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Microvascular changes may contribute to obesity-associated cardiovascular disease. We examined whether body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (1) at multiple earlier time points and (2) decade-long trajectories predicted retinal microvascular parameters in mid-childhood/adulthood.

METHODS

Participants/design: 1288 11-12 year olds (51% girls) and 1264 parents (87% mothers) in the population-based Child Health CheckPoint (CheckPoint) module within the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). LSAC exposure measures: biennial BMI z-score and WHtR for children at five time points from age 2-3 to 10-11 years and self-reported parent BMI at six time points from child age 0-1 years to 10-11 years. CheckPoint outcome measures: retinal arteriolar and venular caliber.

ANALYSES

BMI/WHtR trajectories were identified by group-based trajectory modeling; linear regression models estimated associations between BMI/WHtR at each time point/trajectories and later retinal vascular caliber, adjusted for age, sex, and family socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

In time point analyses, higher child BMI/WHtR from age 4 to 5 years was associated with narrower arteriolar caliber at the age of 11-12 years, but not venular caliber. For example, each standard deviation higher in BMI z-score at 4-5 years was associated with narrower arteriolar caliber at 11-12 years (standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.10 to 0.01); by 10-11 years, associations had doubled to -0.10 (95% CI: -0.16 to -0.05). In adults, these finding were similar, except the magnitude of BMI and arteriolar associations were similar across all time points (SMD: -0.11 to -0.13). In child and adult BMI trajectory analyses, less favorable trajectories predicted narrower arteriolar (p-trend < 0.05), but not venular (p-trend > 0.1), caliber. Compared with those in the average BMI trajectory, SMDs in arterial caliber for children and adults in the highest trajectory were -0.25 (95% CI: -0.44 to -0.07) and -0.42 (95% CI: -0.73 to -0.10), respectively. Venular caliber showed late associations with child WHtR, but not with BMI in children or adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Associations of decade-long high BMI trajectories with narrowed retinal arteriolar caliber emerge in children, and are clearly evident by midlife. Adiposity appears to exert its early adverse life course impacts on the microcirculation more via arteriolar than venular mechanisms.

Cardiovascular health and retinal microvascular geometry in Australian 11-12 year-olds

Traditional retinal microvascular parameters (smaller arteriolar and greater venular caliber) are associated with cardiovascular risk factors, pre-clinical vascular phenotypes and clinical cardiovascular events in adults. Although novel retinal microvascular geometric parameters showed analogous associations in adults, less is known whether these parameters are associated with cardiovascular health from childhood. In a population-based cross-sectional study in children (n = 1126, mean age 11.4 years, 50.3% girls), we examined associations of cardiovascular risk factors and pre-clinical arterial phenotypes with retinal geometric parameters. Cardiovascular parameters included body mass index (BMI), an inflammatory marker (GlycA), low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure, large artery functional (pulse wave velocity, PWV and carotid arterial elasticity) and structural (carotid intima-media thickness) phenotypes. Retinal geometric parameters (fractal dimension (D_f) and tortuosity) were quantified from retinal images. Multivariable regression models were performed and adjusted for potential confounders. Higher values for BMI, SBP and PWV showed weak associations with lower (i.e. worse) arteriolar but not venular D_f (standardized mean difference (SMD) ranging from -0.07 to -0.09, 95% CIs -0.15 to -0.01). Higher HDL was associated with greater arteriolar D_f (SMD 0.07, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.13). Only higher SBP was associated with higher (i.e. worse) arteriolar but not venular tortuosity (SMD 0.09, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.16). In generally healthy children, some risk factors and pre-clinical arterial phenotypes show small associations with retinal geometric parameters. In childhood, emerging relationships between microvascular parameters and cardiometabolic risk may be better described by retinal vascular caliber than by geometric parameters.

Impact of Ideal Cardiovascular Health in Childhood on the Retinal Microvasculature in Midadulthood: Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Background

This study examined the association between ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) and the retinal microvasculature in midadulthood.

Methods and Results

The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study included children from 5 Finnish University cities, who were chosen randomly from the national population register. Participants ranged from 12 to 18 years in childhood (1986) and from 37 to 43 years in midadulthood (2011). Ideal CVH was defined according to the American Heart Association criteria. Retinal microvascular measures included diameters, lengths, length:diameter ratio, and tortuosity. From childhood to adulthood, fasting plasma glucose and blood pressure were significantly higher in those with impaired fasting glucose or diabetes mellitus. Childhood ideal CVH was negatively associated with adult arteriolar tortuosity (β=−0.008; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.01 to −0.003; P=0.001). Improved ideal CVH from childhood to adulthood was positively associated with adult arteriolar diameter (β=0.122; 95% CI, 0.01–0.24; P=0.033) and negatively associated with adult length:diameter ratio (β=−0.666; 95% CI, −1.25 to −0.08; P=0.026). When stratified by glucose metabolism, among those with diabetes mellitus and impaired fasting glucose, there was a negative association between childhood ideal CVH and adult venular diameter (diabetes mellitus: β=−2.75; 95% CI, −5.46 to −0.04; P=0.047; impaired fasting glucose: β=−2.13; 95% CI, −4.18 to −0.08; P=0.042).

Conclusions

This study is the first to comprehensively examine the impact of CVH from childhood to midadulthood on quantitative measures of the retinal microvasculature. Ideal CVH in childhood and improvement in CVH from childhood to adulthood appears to have a protective effect on the retinal microvasculature in those with, without, and at risk of diabetes mellitus.