Early Renal Dysfunction and Reduced Retinal Vascular Density Assessed by Angio-OCT in Hypertensive Patients
<b>Background:</b> The eye and kidney share embryological, structural, and pathophysiological similarities, suggesting potential interconnections between retinal and renal microvascular changes. Hypertension, a major risk factor for renal impairment, also affects retinal microvasculature...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/5/1176 |
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| author | Caterina Carollo Maria Vadalà Alessandra Sorce Emanuele Cirafici Miriam Bennici Massimo Castellucci Vincenza Maria Elena Bonfiglio Giuseppe Mulè Giulio Geraci |
| author_facet | Caterina Carollo Maria Vadalà Alessandra Sorce Emanuele Cirafici Miriam Bennici Massimo Castellucci Vincenza Maria Elena Bonfiglio Giuseppe Mulè Giulio Geraci |
| author_sort | Caterina Carollo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background:</b> The eye and kidney share embryological, structural, and pathophysiological similarities, suggesting potential interconnections between retinal and renal microvascular changes. Hypertension, a major risk factor for renal impairment, also affects retinal microvasculature. This study investigates the relationship between retinal vascular density, assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A), and early renal dysfunction in hypertensive patients. <b>Methods:</b> A total of 142 hypertensive patients (mean age 47 ± 13 years; 74% male) were enrolled from the Nephrology and Hypertension Unit at the University of Palermo. Retinal vascular density was measured using OCT-A, and renal function was assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Clinical and hemodynamic parameters, including 24-h aortic blood pressure, were also analyzed. <b>Results</b>: Patients with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup> exhibited significantly lower retinal vascular densities, particularly in the parafoveal region. Superficial parafoveal density was inversely associated with aortic pulse pressure (<i>p</i> = 0.012) and directly correlated with eGFR (<i>p</i> = 0.012). Deep parafoveal density was independently associated with eGFR (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Multiple linear regression confirmed that lower retinal vascular density was significantly linked to reduced renal function, independent of age and blood pressure. <b>Conclusions:</b> Retinal vascular density, particularly in the parafoveal region, is associated with renal function decline in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that retinal microvascular changes could serve as a non-invasive biomarker for kidney dysfunction, with potential applications in early risk stratification and disease monitoring. Further research is needed to establish causality and clinical utility. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-534b391b9bef493ea7f5c8564495cec9 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2227-9059 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomedicines |
| spelling | doaj-art-534b391b9bef493ea7f5c8564495cec92025-08-20T03:14:30ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-05-01135117610.3390/biomedicines13051176Early Renal Dysfunction and Reduced Retinal Vascular Density Assessed by Angio-OCT in Hypertensive PatientsCaterina Carollo0Maria Vadalà1Alessandra Sorce2Emanuele Cirafici3Miriam Bennici4Massimo Castellucci5Vincenza Maria Elena Bonfiglio6Giuseppe Mulè7Giulio Geraci8Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, Hypertension Excellence Centre, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, ItalyBiomedicine, Neuroscience and Advance Diagnostic (BIND) Department, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, ItalyUnit of Nephrology and Dialysis, Hypertension Excellence Centre, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, ItalyUnit of Nephrology and Dialysis, Hypertension Excellence Centre, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, ItalyUnit of Nephrology and Dialysis, Hypertension Excellence Centre, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, ItalyBiomedicine, Neuroscience and Advance Diagnostic (BIND) Department, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, ItalyBiomedicine, Neuroscience and Advance Diagnostic (BIND) Department, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, ItalyUnit of Nephrology and Dialysis, Hypertension Excellence Centre, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, ItalyFaculty of Medicine and Surgery, Kore University, 94100 Enna, Italy<b>Background:</b> The eye and kidney share embryological, structural, and pathophysiological similarities, suggesting potential interconnections between retinal and renal microvascular changes. Hypertension, a major risk factor for renal impairment, also affects retinal microvasculature. This study investigates the relationship between retinal vascular density, assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A), and early renal dysfunction in hypertensive patients. <b>Methods:</b> A total of 142 hypertensive patients (mean age 47 ± 13 years; 74% male) were enrolled from the Nephrology and Hypertension Unit at the University of Palermo. Retinal vascular density was measured using OCT-A, and renal function was assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Clinical and hemodynamic parameters, including 24-h aortic blood pressure, were also analyzed. <b>Results</b>: Patients with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup> exhibited significantly lower retinal vascular densities, particularly in the parafoveal region. Superficial parafoveal density was inversely associated with aortic pulse pressure (<i>p</i> = 0.012) and directly correlated with eGFR (<i>p</i> = 0.012). Deep parafoveal density was independently associated with eGFR (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Multiple linear regression confirmed that lower retinal vascular density was significantly linked to reduced renal function, independent of age and blood pressure. <b>Conclusions:</b> Retinal vascular density, particularly in the parafoveal region, is associated with renal function decline in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that retinal microvascular changes could serve as a non-invasive biomarker for kidney dysfunction, with potential applications in early risk stratification and disease monitoring. Further research is needed to establish causality and clinical utility.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/5/1176hypertensionCKDAngio-OCTearly kidney damage |
| spellingShingle | Caterina Carollo Maria Vadalà Alessandra Sorce Emanuele Cirafici Miriam Bennici Massimo Castellucci Vincenza Maria Elena Bonfiglio Giuseppe Mulè Giulio Geraci Early Renal Dysfunction and Reduced Retinal Vascular Density Assessed by Angio-OCT in Hypertensive Patients Biomedicines hypertension CKD Angio-OCT early kidney damage |
| title | Early Renal Dysfunction and Reduced Retinal Vascular Density Assessed by Angio-OCT in Hypertensive Patients |
| title_full | Early Renal Dysfunction and Reduced Retinal Vascular Density Assessed by Angio-OCT in Hypertensive Patients |
| title_fullStr | Early Renal Dysfunction and Reduced Retinal Vascular Density Assessed by Angio-OCT in Hypertensive Patients |
| title_full_unstemmed | Early Renal Dysfunction and Reduced Retinal Vascular Density Assessed by Angio-OCT in Hypertensive Patients |
| title_short | Early Renal Dysfunction and Reduced Retinal Vascular Density Assessed by Angio-OCT in Hypertensive Patients |
| title_sort | early renal dysfunction and reduced retinal vascular density assessed by angio oct in hypertensive patients |
| topic | hypertension CKD Angio-OCT early kidney damage |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/5/1176 |
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