Association of wearable device-measured physical activity with full-course diabetic retinopathy and retinal traits: insights from the middle-aged and older adult cohort

Abstract Purpose To assess accelerometer-measured physical activity (PA) in patients with all stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and investigate its association with specific retinal structural metrics. Methods This extensive cohort study included 13,600 participants with an average age of 56.39 ye...

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Main Authors: Chenxiao Shen, Zijing Du, Chunran Lai, Ting Su, Qiaowei Wu, Yanlei Chen, Ying Fang, Zhuoting Zhu, Xiayin Zhang, Honghua Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-025-01745-1
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author Chenxiao Shen
Zijing Du
Chunran Lai
Ting Su
Qiaowei Wu
Yanlei Chen
Ying Fang
Zhuoting Zhu
Xiayin Zhang
Honghua Yu
author_facet Chenxiao Shen
Zijing Du
Chunran Lai
Ting Su
Qiaowei Wu
Yanlei Chen
Ying Fang
Zhuoting Zhu
Xiayin Zhang
Honghua Yu
author_sort Chenxiao Shen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose To assess accelerometer-measured physical activity (PA) in patients with all stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and investigate its association with specific retinal structural metrics. Methods This extensive cohort study included 13,600 participants with an average age of 56.39 years. These subjects were divided into four groups: non-diabetes mellitus, prediabetes mellitus (Pre-DM), diabetes mellitus (DM) without DR, and DR. We evaluated multivariate-adjusted associations of PA with DR progression using logistic regression and with retinal sublayer thickness using hierarchical linear model (HLM). The mediating role of body mass index (BMI) was tested to investigate the true association between PA and the full spectrum DR. Results As DR progressed, the durations of moderate-intensity PA (MPA) and moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) decreased significantly by 29% (odds ratio (OR) = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.57–0.90) to 78% (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.14–0.35) and 21% (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.71–0.89) to 55% (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.30–0.67), respectively. Morning MPA and MVPA (6:00–12:00) were protective factors against DR, whereas late-night PA (0:00–5:59) heightened DR risk. The multivariate-adjusted linear interaction model revealed that the positive effect of MPA and MVPA on the thickness of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), macular thickness (MT), and inner nuclear layer-external limiting membrane was significantly associated with DR disease status (interaction P < 0.05). Higher MPA and MVPA were correlated with accelerated thickening rates of the GCIPL and MT sublayers, ranging from Pre-DM to those with established DR. 35.7% and 58.7% of the associations between MPA, MVPA, and the full spectrum DR were mediated by lower BMI, respectively. Conclusions The diminution of PA is associated with the progression of DR and the attenuation of retinal sublayer thickness, and our findings support current PA recommendations promoting interventions to decelerate DR progression and preserve retinal health.
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spelling doaj-art-c691136a2f2b453cb3c24ce66c1a4e0b2025-08-20T02:37:34ZengBMCDiabetology & Metabolic Syndrome1758-59962025-06-0117111110.1186/s13098-025-01745-1Association of wearable device-measured physical activity with full-course diabetic retinopathy and retinal traits: insights from the middle-aged and older adult cohortChenxiao Shen0Zijing Du1Chunran Lai2Ting Su3Qiaowei Wu4Yanlei Chen5Ying Fang6Zhuoting Zhu7Xiayin Zhang8Honghua Yu9Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityCentre for Eye Research Australia, University of MelbourneGuangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityAbstract Purpose To assess accelerometer-measured physical activity (PA) in patients with all stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and investigate its association with specific retinal structural metrics. Methods This extensive cohort study included 13,600 participants with an average age of 56.39 years. These subjects were divided into four groups: non-diabetes mellitus, prediabetes mellitus (Pre-DM), diabetes mellitus (DM) without DR, and DR. We evaluated multivariate-adjusted associations of PA with DR progression using logistic regression and with retinal sublayer thickness using hierarchical linear model (HLM). The mediating role of body mass index (BMI) was tested to investigate the true association between PA and the full spectrum DR. Results As DR progressed, the durations of moderate-intensity PA (MPA) and moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) decreased significantly by 29% (odds ratio (OR) = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.57–0.90) to 78% (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.14–0.35) and 21% (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.71–0.89) to 55% (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.30–0.67), respectively. Morning MPA and MVPA (6:00–12:00) were protective factors against DR, whereas late-night PA (0:00–5:59) heightened DR risk. The multivariate-adjusted linear interaction model revealed that the positive effect of MPA and MVPA on the thickness of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), macular thickness (MT), and inner nuclear layer-external limiting membrane was significantly associated with DR disease status (interaction P < 0.05). Higher MPA and MVPA were correlated with accelerated thickening rates of the GCIPL and MT sublayers, ranging from Pre-DM to those with established DR. 35.7% and 58.7% of the associations between MPA, MVPA, and the full spectrum DR were mediated by lower BMI, respectively. Conclusions The diminution of PA is associated with the progression of DR and the attenuation of retinal sublayer thickness, and our findings support current PA recommendations promoting interventions to decelerate DR progression and preserve retinal health.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-025-01745-1Full-course diabetic retinopathyAccelerometryPhysical activityDisease progression
spellingShingle Chenxiao Shen
Zijing Du
Chunran Lai
Ting Su
Qiaowei Wu
Yanlei Chen
Ying Fang
Zhuoting Zhu
Xiayin Zhang
Honghua Yu
Association of wearable device-measured physical activity with full-course diabetic retinopathy and retinal traits: insights from the middle-aged and older adult cohort
Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome
Full-course diabetic retinopathy
Accelerometry
Physical activity
Disease progression
title Association of wearable device-measured physical activity with full-course diabetic retinopathy and retinal traits: insights from the middle-aged and older adult cohort
title_full Association of wearable device-measured physical activity with full-course diabetic retinopathy and retinal traits: insights from the middle-aged and older adult cohort
title_fullStr Association of wearable device-measured physical activity with full-course diabetic retinopathy and retinal traits: insights from the middle-aged and older adult cohort
title_full_unstemmed Association of wearable device-measured physical activity with full-course diabetic retinopathy and retinal traits: insights from the middle-aged and older adult cohort
title_short Association of wearable device-measured physical activity with full-course diabetic retinopathy and retinal traits: insights from the middle-aged and older adult cohort
title_sort association of wearable device measured physical activity with full course diabetic retinopathy and retinal traits insights from the middle aged and older adult cohort
topic Full-course diabetic retinopathy
Accelerometry
Physical activity
Disease progression
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-025-01745-1
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