The relationship between association of microalbuminuria and retinal vessel diameter in population with essential hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and the diameter of retinal vessel in population with essential hypertension in Fujian coastal area. METHODS: Central retinal artery and vein equivalents (CRAE and CRVE) were measured from the avoiding mydriatic digitized photographs and semi-automatic fundus analysis software, as well as albumin and urine creatinine. RESULTS: There were significant differences in CRAE levels among the normal control group, normoalbuminuria with essential hypertension group and microalbuminuria with essential hypertension group [(135.68 ± 10.10) µm, (129.79 ± 10.48) µm, (125.29 ± 11.17) µm, all P values < 0.01]. The CRAE levels were significantly negative correlated with UACR (r = -0.29, P < 0.01). Linear regression analysis showed CRAE was associated with UACR in the patients with hypertension(β = -5.0, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed, systolic blood pressure (β = 1.08, P = 0.02) was risk factor for CRAE abnormality. The CRAE abnormality was increased in turn in the normal control group, normoalbuminuria with the essential hypertension group and microalbuminuria with essential hypertension group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The reduction of central retinal artery diameter are associated with the hypertensive renal damage. UACR and CRAE could be used to evaluate the microvascular lesions and be used as an indicator to assess the target organs damage in essential hypertension patients.