Central serous chorioretinopathy and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors: a case-control postmarketing surveillance study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an increased risk of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) associated with prescription exposure to phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors.


METHODS
A case-control study linking 2 National Veterans Health Administration databases (clinical and pharmacy) for fiscal years 2004 to 2005. The likelihood of past exposure to PDE-5 inhibitors among newly diagnosed patients with CSC, identified through International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition, Clinical Modification codes, was compared with 2 age-matched control groups after excluding subjects with risk factors for CSC.


RESULTS
Among 577 men, aged 59 years and younger with newly diagnosed CSC during the study year, 111 were prescribed a PDE-5 inhibitor (19.2%). The proportions of age-matched controls prescribed a PDE-5 inhibitor in the 2 groups were 18.5% and 21.5%. The odds ratio of exposure was 1.05 (95% confidence limit: 0.74-1.22) and 0.87 (95% confidence limit: 0.68-1.12).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with CSC had no increase in prescription exposure to PDE-5 inhibitors than did age-matched control subjects. Although the findings in this study do not support an association between CSC and PDE-5 inhibitors, postmarketing surveillance methods for drug-related side effects have acknowledged limitations.
French
Dustin D
DD
Regenstrief Institute Inc., Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA. Drddfrench@yahoo.com
Margo
Curtis E
CE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002243:Carbolines / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D056833:Central Serous Chorioretinopathy / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016208:Databases, Factual; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011687:Purines / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068581:Tadalafil; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride; D055815:Young Adult
D002243:Carbolines; D007093:Imidazoles; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014227:Triazines; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride; D000068581:Tadalafil; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate