Vitreous Levels of Somatostatin in Uveitic Macular Edema

Abstract

Purpose: : To determine vitreous levels of Somatostatin (SST) in patients with chronic uveitic macular edema

Methods: : Case-control study. Patients with chronic uveitic macular edema (cases) and patients with macular hole and epiretinal membrane (controls) were included. Levels of Somatostatin were determined by Radioimmunoassay. Statistics: Mann Whitney and Spearman tests were used.

Results: : Eleven cases and 42 controls were included. No differences in plasma SST between cases and controls were found (27.79 vs 27.39 pg/mL, p=0.39). Vitreous levels of proteins were higher in uveitic patients than in controls (1.47 vs 0.73 mg/mL, p<0.0001). Vitreous levels of SST were lower in patients with uveitic macular edema than in controls in absolute terms (66.26 vs 494 pg/mL, p< 0.0001) and after correcting for vitreous levels of proteins (44.14 vs 697.21, p<0.0001). Statistical correlation between macular thickness and vitreous levels of SST was not found (p=0.131)

Conclusions: : Vitreous levels of SST are decreased in patients with uveitic macular edema. Intravitreal injection of SST may be a therapeutical option for these patients.

Keywords: edema • macula/fovea • uveitis-clinical/animal model