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Title: | Greenspace exposure and the retinal microvasculature in healthy adults across three European cities | Authors: | Bauwelinck, Mariska DE BOEVER, Patrick DONS, Evi Standaert, Arnout Ambros, Albert LAEREMANS, Michelle Avila-Palencia, Ione Carrasco-Turigas, Gloria Wegener, Sandra Anaya, Esther Orjuela, Juan Pablo de Nazelle, Audrey Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J. INT PANIS, Luc Dadvand, Payam |
Issue Date: | 2024 | Publisher: | ELSEVIER SCI LTD | Source: | Health and place, 89 (Art N° 103342) | Abstract: | Background: Emerging evidence points to the beneficial role of greenspace exposure in promoting cardiovascular health. Most studies have evaluated such associations with conventional cardiovascular endpoints such as mortality, morbidity, or macrovascular markers. In comparison, the microvasculature, a crucial compartment of the vascular system where early subclinical signs of cardiovascular problems appear, has not been studied in association with greenspace exposure. The current study assessed the association between surrounding greenness and microvascular status, as assessed by retinal vessel diameters. Methods: This study included a sample of healthy adults (n = 114 and 18-65 years old) residing in three European cities [Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), and London (UK)]. The exposures to greenspace at the home and work/school locations were characterized as average surrounding greenness [normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)] within buffers of 100 m, 300 m, and 500 m. The central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) were calculated from fundus pictures taken at three different time points. We developed linear mixed-effect models to estimate the association of greenspace exposure with indicators of retinal microvasculature, adjusted for relevant individual and area-level covariates. Results: We observed the most robust associations with CRVE. Higher levels of greenspace at work/school were associated with smaller retinal venules [(seasonal NDVI) 300m: 3.85, 95%CI -6.67,-1.03; 500m: 5.11, 95%CI -8.04, -2.18]. Findings for surrounding greenness and CRAE were not conclusive. Conclusion: Our study suggests an association of greenspace exposure with better microvascular status, specifically for retinal venules. Future research is needed to confirm our findings across different contextual settings. | Notes: | De Boever, P (corresponding author), Antwerp Univ Hosp UZA, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium. patrick.deboever@uza.be |
Keywords: | Retinal microcirculation;Green space;Retinal vessel diameters;Microvasculature;Cardiovascular risk factors | Document URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1942/44407 | ISSN: | 1353-8292 | e-ISSN: | 1873-2054 | DOI: | 10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103342 | ISI #: | 001307750100001 | Rights: | 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies. | Category: | A1 | Type: | Journal Contribution |
Appears in Collections: | Research publications |
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