Elevated serum leptin, adiponectin and leptin to adiponectin ratio is associated with chronic kidney disease in Asian adults.

Background: Adiponectin and leptin, two of the key cytokines secreted by adipocytes, have been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease. However, the association of these adipocytokines with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not clear. We examined the association of serum adiponectin, leptin levels and leptin to adiponectin ratio (LAR) with CKD in a population-based sample of Asian adults.

Serum leptin and age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: Leptin, a 167-amino acid protein secreted by adipocytes, has been shown to reduce beta-amyloid deposition and intracellular lipid concentration in animal models, two key pathogenic mechanisms underlying aging. We examined the association between serum leptin levels and AMD.

Methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study including Chinese and Indian adults aged 40 to 80 years who participated in the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study (2007-2011).

Retinal microvascular abnormalities and risk of renal failure in Asian populations.

Background: Retinal microvascular signs may provide insights into the structure and function of small vessels that are associated with renal disease. We examined the relationship of retinal microvascular signs with both prevalent and incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in a multi-ethnic Asian population.

Methods: A total of 5763 subjects (aged ≥ 40 years) from two prospective population-based studies (the Singapore Malay Eye Study and the Singapore Prospective Study) were included for the current analysis.

Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus using HbA1c in Asians: relationship between HbA1c and retinopathy in a multiethnic Asian population.

Context: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥ 6.5% (47.5 mmol/mol) has recently been included as a criterion for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

Prevalence and risk factors for retinopathy in persons without diabetes: the Singapore Indian Eye Study.

Purpose: To describe prevalence and risk factors for retinopathy in an Asian Indian population without diabetes.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study of 3400 Indians aged 40-80 years residing in Singapore was conducted. Retinopathy was assessed from retinal photographs by trained graders using modified Airlie House Classification System.

Body mass index and retinopathy in Asian populations with diabetes mellitus.

Body mass index (BMI) is an established risk factor for diabetes. However, the association between BMI and diabetic retinopathy (DR) has been inconclusive. We aimed to assess the association between BMI and DR in a large population-based sample of multi-ethnic Asian adults in Singapore.

Comparison of CKD-EPI Cystatin C and Creatinine Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimation Equations in Asian Indians.

Background. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is identified in the general population using estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) calculated from a serum creatinine-based equation, the chronic kidney disease-epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Using serum cystatin C in combination may improve eGFR accuracy.

Chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and mortality: A prospective cohort study in a multi-ethnic Asian population.

Background: Few studies have examined the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on adverse cardiovascular outcomes and deaths in Asian populations. We evaluated the associations of CKD with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in a multi-ethnic Asian population.

Design: Prospective cohort study of 7098 individuals who participated in two independent population-based studies involving Malay adults (n = 3148) and a multi-ethnic cohort of Chinese, Malay and Indian adults (n = 3950).

Is chronic kidney disease associated with diabetic retinopathy in Asian adults?

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is commonly associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Few studies have demonstrated that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with DR. However, it is not clear if CKD in the absence of albuminuria is associated with DR.

Ethnic variation in central corneal refractive power and steep cornea in Asians.

Purpose: To describe ethnic differences in the distribution of central corneal refractive power and steep cornea in a multiethnic Asian population.

Methods: A total of 2968 Chinese, 2957 Indian and 2928 Malay participants aged over 40 years were included in this study. Each subject underwent standardized systematic and ocular examinations, interviewer-administered questionnaires, and blood investigations for risk factor assessment.

Body mass index and preclinical kidney disease in Indian adults aged 40 years and above without chronic kidney disease.

Background: Obesity is associated with diabetes and hypertension, two major risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recently, it has been shown that obesity is associated with preclinical kidney disease defined by elevated levels of cystatin C among those without CKD in US adults. However, the association of obesity with cystatin C is not known in industrialized Asian populations.

Kidney and eye diseases: common risk factors, etiological mechanisms, and pathways.

Chronic kidney disease is an emerging health problem worldwide. The eye shares striking structural, developmental, and genetic pathways with the kidney, suggesting that kidney disease and ocular disease may be closely linked. A growing number of studies have found associations of chronic kidney disease with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataract.

Cardio-metabolic risk factors and prehypertension in persons without diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

Background: Prehypertension has been shown to be an early risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated the prevalence and pattern of cardiometabolic risk factors in prehypertension in three ethnic Asian populations in Singapore.

Methods: We examined data from Chinese (n=1177), Malay (n=774), and Indian (n=985) adults aged 40-80 years who participated in three independent population based studies conducted from 2004-2011 in Singapore who were free of diabetes, hypertension and previous CVD.

Prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension among Asian Indians living in urban Singapore and rural India.

Background: Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We compared the epidemiology of hypertension in South Asian Indians living in two geographic regions with vastly different socioeconomic settings (urban Singapore and rural India).

Methods: We analyzed data from two large population-based studies: the Singapore Indian Eye Study (SINDI, n = 3228, aged 40-80 years, 49.

Relationship between urinary bisphenol A levels and prediabetes among subjects free of diabetes.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high volume production chemical used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Recent experimental studies have suggested that BPA affects glucose metabolism through diverse mechanisms including insulin resistance, pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, adipogenesis, inflammation and oxidative stress. Prediabetes is a stage earlier in the hyperglycemia continuum associated with increased future risk of developing diabetes.

Ethnic differences in the association between blood pressure components and chronic kidney disease in middle aged and older Asian adults.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging public health problem worldwide. Previous studies have shown an association between blood pressure (BP) and CKD. However, it is not clear if there are ethnic differences in this association.

Structural changes in the retinal microvasculature and renal function.

Purpose: To evaluate the associations between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and microalbuminuria, and a comprehensive range of retinal microvascular abnormalities including traditional and new retinal vascular measures.

Methods: This was a population-based, cross-sectional study on 3280 urban Malay adults. The albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) was calculated from spot urine samples.

Serum cystatin C and prediabetes in non-obese US adults.

Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of end stage renal disease. Cystatin C, a marker of early renal impairment has been shown to be associated with diabetes. However, it is not clear if cystatin C is associated with prediabetes, an early stage in the hyperglycemic continuum where prevention efforts have been shown to be effective in delaying or preventing the onset of diabetes.

Ethnic variation in the impact of metabolic syndrome components and chronic kidney disease.

Objective: To examine the ethnic differences in the association between metabolic syndrome components and CKD in Asian populations.

Methods: We analyzed data from three independent populations in Singapore representing the three major Asian ethnic groups (n=3167 Chinese, 3082 Malays and 3228 Indians) aged 40-80 years. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.

Accuracy of diabetic retinopathy screening by trained non-physician graders using non-mydriatic fundus camera.

Introduction: We compared the agreement of diabetic retinopathy (DR) assessment between trained non-physician graders (NPGs) and family physicians (FPs) in a primary healthcare setting.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted retrospectively over a period of one month. The participants were diabetic patients from two primary healthcare clinics (polyclinics) in Singapore.

Retinal microvasculature as a model to study the manifestations of hypertension.

The retinal vasculature allows direct noninvasive visualization of the body's mircrovasculature. Because the retina and other end organs (brain and kidney) share similar anatomical features and physiological properties, the retinal vessels offer a unique and easily accessible window to study the health and disease of the human microcirculation. Advanced retinal vascular imaging technologies have been developed to allow a more objective and precise assessment of retinal vascular changes.

Urinary bisphenol a levels and measures of obesity: results from the national health and nutrition examination survey 2003-2008.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used chemical. We examined the association between urinary BPA levels and obesity in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2008. The main outcome of interest was obesity defined as (1) body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 Kg/m(2) and (2) waist circumference (WC) ≥ 102 cm in men and ≥ 88 cm in women.

The relationship between insufficient sleep and self-rated health in a nationally representative sample.

Reduced sleep has been found to be associated with increased risk of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality. Self-rated health (SRH) has been shown to be a predictor of CVD and mortality. However, study of the association between insufficient sleep and SRH is limited.

Bisphenol A and peripheral arterial disease: results from the NHANES.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common chemical used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, and > 93% of U.S. adults have detectable levels of urinary BPA.