Glucocorticoid use represents a risk factor for central serous chorioretinopathy: a prospective, case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether exposure to glucocorticoids represents a risk factor for the development of central serous chorioretinopathy (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 of 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 of 38 patients (28.9%) with CSCR; 8 of them were men and 3 women. In the control group, use of glucocorticoids was recorded in 2 of 38 patients (5.2%), 1 man and 1 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.
Medical Retina Unit, 1st Department of Ophthalmology, Henry Dunant Hospital, 107 Mesogion Avenue, 11526 Athens, Greece. t_karadimas@yahoo.com
Panagiotis
P
Karadimas
Evrydiki A
EA
Bouzas
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D005938:Glucocorticoids