Serum cortisol and testosterone levels in idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy

Abstract

Context:The preferential occurrence of idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy (ICSC) in males with a typical Type A personality and behavior and a relative absence in females is a possible indicator towards the role of serum cortisol and /or the male sex hormone testosterone.Aims:To study levels of cortisol and testosterone in ICSC.Settings and Design:Case-control study in a tertiary care teaching hospital.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted on 23 cases of ICSC. Twelve patients with unilateral sudden painless loss of vision of less than one month duration served as controls. Serum cortisol and testosterone levels at 8.00 a.m. were estimated by radioimmunoassay in both groups.Statistical analysis used:Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 13.0 software. Independent Sample t-test was applied to analyze statistical significance between the two groups.Results:Mean age of patients with ICSC was 37.1 ± 9.7 years and 96% of the patients were males. Mean serum cortisol levels were significantly higher (P=0.002) in patients with ICSC i.e., 495.02 ± 169.47 nano moles/liter (nmol/L) as compared to controls i.e., 362.25 ± 51.54 nmol/L. Mean serum testosterone levels were 3.85 ± 1.81 nano grams/ml (ngm/ml) and 4.23 ± 1.89 ngm/ml in cases and controls respectively and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.58).Conclusions:ICSC is associated with elevated 8.00 a.m. serum cortisol levels. However, mean serum testosterone levels in both patients of ICSC and controls were within normal range.

Central serous chorioretinopathy due to low dose exogenous corticosteroid administered for a bee sting: a complication or coincidence?

“…Many studies have demonstrated that CSs are a risk factor for acute CSCR [2][3][4][5]. CSs can damage the retina pigment epithelium (RPE) or the tight connection between the retina pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and delay RPE healing.…”

“…The etiopathogenesis of CSCR has not been fully elucidated but there are some well-defined risk factors that cause the disorder. These include type A personality, pregnancy, systemic corticosteroid (CS) use and Cushing syndrome [2,3]. There is increased CS in the body in all these conditions and many studies have indicated a relationship between CSs and CSCR pathogenesis [2][3][4][5].…”

“…These include type A personality, pregnancy, systemic corticosteroid (CS) use and Cushing syndrome [2,3]. There is increased CS in the body in all these conditions and many studies have indicated a relationship between CSs and CSCR pathogenesis [2][3][4][5]. Although almost all CS administration routes cause CSCR, a long usage duration and/or high doses of CS are generally required for CSCR development [4].…”

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy With Multiple Leakage Points in a Young Female Patient Without Detected Risk Factors

“…It has been associated with type-A personality, elevated endogenous cortisol and corticosteroid therapy in various forms [1,5,6]. The main symptoms range from acute loss of vision to metamorphopsia and scotomas [1][2][3][4][5][6]. We report the case of a young female patient who developed acute CSR without recognisable risk factors.…”

“…CSR typically affects young and middle-aged adults (between ages 20 and 40 years) with men being affected more commonly than women by approximately 10 to one [1][2][3][4][5]. It has been associated with type-A personality, elevated endogenous cortisol and corticosteroid therapy in various forms [1,5,6].…”