Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:The development of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) has been described as a complication of exogenous glucocorticoids administrated by various routes and, also, in association with conditions characterized by endogenous hypercortisolism. However, the role of glucocorticoids as a potential risk factor for the disease is not precisely known, because most of the published studies in the field are case reports, small case series, and retrospective studies, lacking a control group. For these reasons we carried out a prospective study, to evaluate whether exposure to glucocorticoids represents a risk factor for the development of acute CSCR. Methods:Prospective, case–control study. Thirty eight consecutive patients, with acute CSCR were asked to answer a specific questionnaire regarding the use of glucocorticoids, in any form, during the last month before the onset of the symptoms. An age– and sex–matched control group was also recruited. It consisted from patients attending the outpatient department for a condition other than CSCR, who were asked to answer the same questionnaire. Results:Use of glucocorticoids was recorded in 11/38 patients (28.9 %) with CSCR; eight of them were men and three women. In the control group use of glucocorticoids was recorded in 2/38 patients (5.2 %), one man and one woman. The difference between the two groups is statistically significant (odds ratio= 7.33, 95% CI= 1.49–35.85, P= 0.006). Conclusions:In this prospective, case–control study, we found that glucocorticoid use represents a risk factor for the development of CSCR. As a result, development of CSCR should be included in the list of the ocular side–effects of glucocorticoids.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment • macula/fovea • drug toxicity/drug effects