Relationship Between Retinal Vascular Measurements and Anthropometric Indices in Patients Diagnosed with Persistent COVID-19.

Introduction: Persistent COVID-19 is associated with microvascular dysfunction, with retinal vessels as potential early biomarkers. Obesity, particularly visceral adiposity, contributes to this dysfunction; however, the body mass index (BMI) is limited in its ability to assess it. Therefore, more precise alternative anthropometric indices have been proposed, although their relationship with retinal vascular caliber in persistent COVID-19 has not been studied. Objective: To analyze the relationship between different anthropometric measurements and the caliber of retinal vessels in an adult population with persistent COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study and included individuals diagnosed with persistent COVID-19. Retinal images were obtained using a non-mydriatic retinograph. The anthropometric variables used included: waist and hip circumference, BMI, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), Body Roundness Index (BRI), Abdominal Volume Index (AVI), and body composition parameters measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: The sample included 284 participants (mean age: 52.7 years; 31.8% men). Men exhibited greater general and abdominal adiposity. The AV Index was negatively associated with various anthropometric indicators (BMI, BRI, waist circumference, and AVI), while venular caliber showed positive associations with all these indices, except for BMI (p < 0.05 for all). No significant correlations were found between anthropometric values and arteriolar caliber. These associations persisted after adjusting for age, sex, and pharmacological treatment. Conclusions: Individuals with obesity are associated with alterations in retinal vessels in patients with persistent COVID-19, evidenced by an increase in venous caliber and a decrease in the AV Index. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously.