Clinical Profile and Risk Factors of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy in Al- Ain, United Arab Emirates

Background: Based on the adverse event reporting system, the authors observed unique occupational and pharmacological trends in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC); despite being a common condition in the region, there are no large epidemiological studies. Objective: To describe the clinical profile, risk factors and co-medications of CSC in a multispecialty hospital in UAE. Methods: Hospital based retrospective, observational study in which all the confirmed cases of CSC (272) seen between 2010 and 2019 were included. Supplementary data was collected on follow up visits or through telephonic calls. Results: The male: female ratio was 17:1; low socio-economic status was (155; 73.45%), and occupations such as drivers (61; 28.9%) and outdoor laborers (59; 27.96%) were the most commonly affected. The majority (78.05%; 185) were single expatriates. Financial worries (105; 50.72%) constituted the leading cause of stress. The usage of corticosteroids (83; 30.51%), nasal decongestants (14.70%) or both (17; 6.25%) within one year was common; mostly (82; 30.14%) for rhinitis/respiratory states, though grossly under-recognized. Muscle relaxants and psychotropic medications were the other major medications used by 24 (8.82%) and 25 (9.19%) cases prior to CSC. Seven of 15 women had at least one condition that alters the endocrinal milieu: Pregnancy (3), recent child birth (1), erratic oral contraceptive intake (1), menopause with liver dysfunction (1), hormone replacement therapy for menopause and endometriosis (1), ovarian cyst and infertility (1) hypothyroidism (3), and Cushing syndrome (1). Chronic/ recurrent forms were seen in 31.08%. There were too few glaucoma patients despite both CSC and glaucoma being common among our patients. Conclusions: CSC in Al-Ain predominantly affected males with a specific occupational predisposition. Emotional distress, financial worries, allergic disorders, and endocrinal disorders (among females) were common. Adverse drug events were under-reported compared to the usage of steroid or decongestant users. Suspected pharmacological associations included drugs that modulated the vasomotor tone.