The association between retinal vessel abnormalities and H-type hypertension

Abstract Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between H-type hypertension and retinal vessel abnormalities. Methods: Hypertensive patients were retrospectively enrolled in this study. According to plasma homocysteine (HCY), patients were divided into isolated hypertension and H-type hypertension groups. The diameter of retinal vessels and retinopathy were evaluated using retinal fundus photography. The differences of retinal vessel abnormalities between H-type hypertension and isolated hypertension were investigated by univariate and multivariate regression. Results: A total of 191 hypertensive patients were included, of which 86 were with isolated hypertension and 105 with H-type hypertension. The H-type hypertension group had a higher ratio of retinopathy(P=0.004) and higher degree of retinal arteriosclerosis (P=0.005) than the isolated hypertension group. CRAE (107.47±13.99mm v 113.49±11.72mm, P=0.002) and AVR (0.55±0.06 v 0.58±0.06, P=0.001) were smaller in H-type hypertension group than those in isolated hypertension group. Multivariate analysis showed that after adjusting for age, sex, course of hypertension and diabetes, H-type hypertension was an independent risk factor of retinopathy(OR, 2.259; 95%CI, 1.165—4.378; P=0.016), CRAE (B=-5.669; 95%CI, -9.452—-1.886; P=0.004), and AVR (B=-0.023; 95%CI,-0.039—-0.007; P=0.005). Conclusion: H-type hypertension is closely related to more retinal vessel abnormalities than isolated hypertension. Controlling H-type hypertension may reduce the risk of small vascular damage.