Retinopathy Is Associated With Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality in Both Diabetic and Nondiabetic Subjects
The Hoorn Study
- Manon V. van Hecke, MD12,
- Jacqueline M. Dekker, PHD2,
- Giel Nijpels, MD, PHD23,
- Annette C. Moll, MD, PHD12,
- Hendrik A. van Leiden, MD12,
- Robert J. Heine, MD, PHD24,
- Lex M. Bouter, PHD2,
- Coen D.A. Stehouwer, MD, PHD25 and
- Bettine C.P. Polak, MD, PHD12
- 1Department of Ophthalmology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- 2Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- 3Department of General Practice, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- 4Department of Endocrinology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- 5Department of Internal Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Address correspondence to Manon V. van Hecke, MD, VU University Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, Netherlands. E-mail: m.van_hecke.emgo{at}med.vu.nl
Diabetic retinopathy has been associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risks among diabetic populations (1). The exact mechanism of this association, however, still remains unclear (1). Recently, we reported (2) that hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity are associated with retinopathy in diabetic and nondiabetic individuals. Conceivably, these associations with cardiovascular risk factors, which explain the occurrence of retinopathy in a nondiabetic population, may also explain the association of retinopathy and mortality. Therefore, the purpose of this population-based, prospective cohort study was to describe the association of …
