Diabetic retinopathy is associated with pulse wave velocity, not with the augmentation index of pulse waveform

Osamu Ogawa¹ , Kiyoko Hiraoka² , Takahiro Watanabe² , Junichiro Kinoshita² , Masahiko Kawasumi² , Hidenori Yoshii² and Ryuzo Kawamori²

¹Midorigaoka Ekimae Clinic, 1-1-1, Midorigaoka, Yachiyo city, Chiba Pref., 276-0049, Japan

²Department of Medicine, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan

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Cardiovascular Diabetology 2008, 7:11doi:10.1186/1475-2840-7-11


Published:	25 April 2008

Abstract

Background

To investigate the clinical differences between pulse wave velocity and augmentation index in diabetic retinopathy.

Methods

The subjects were 201 patients with type 2 diabetes. These subjects were measured for both augmentation index (AI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) by a pulse wave analyzer. The relationships between AI, baPWV, and diabetic retinopathy were examined.

Results

BaPWV was significantly higher in patients with diabetic retinopathy than in individuals without the disease. (20.13 ± 3.66 vs.17.14 ± 3.60 m/s p < 0.001) AI was higher in patients with diabetic retinopathy, but not significantly. (19.5 ± 15.2 vs. 14.8 ± 20.5% p = 0.14) The association between baPWV and diabetic retinopathy remained statistically significant after adjustment. (Odds ratio: 1.21 Per m/s, 95% confidence interval: 1.07–1.37) On the other hand, the association between AI and diabetic retinopathy was not statistically significant. (Odds ratio: 1.01 Per %, 95% confidence interval: 0.98–1.03)

Conclusion

BaPWV is associated with diabetic retinopathy, but AI is not. The clinical significance appears to be different between PWV and AI in patients with diabetes.