Gender differences in central serous chorioretinopathy based on the new multimodal imaging classification.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To analyse the gender-specific differences in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) based on a new multimodal imaging classification system. METHOD: This was a retrospective, multicentric, longitudinal, observational study in patients with a diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral CSCR. Visual acuity outcomes and differences based on 'Simple' and 'Complex' CSCR were analysed. The occurrence of choroidal neovascularization (CNVM) and number of recurrences were also compared. Regression analysis was used to evaluate baseline predictors of final visual acuity. RESULTS: The study included 109 eyes of 58 patients (55 eyes of 28 female patients and 54 eyes of 30 male patients). Simple CSCR was seen in 8 (14.8%) eyes and 21 (38.2%) eyes in male and female groups respectively, while complex CSCR was seen in 46 (85.2%) eyes and 34 (61.8%) eyes in male and female groups respectively (p = 0.005). Recurrence was more commonly seen in males (34 eyes) than in females (23 eyes) (p = 0.03). Males (96.7%) were also significantly more likely to have a bilateral presentation (78.6% in females) (p = 0.03). Conversely, CNVM was more commonly seen in female eyes (8 eyes) than male eyes (4 eyes) (p = 0.23). On multivariable regression analysis, factors affecting reduced need for treatment were history of steroid use, good visual acuity at baseline, and simple CSCR. Factors affecting good final visual acuity were history of steroid use, good visual acuity at baseline, and younger age. CONCLUSION: Males tended to have complex CSCR and recurrence compared to the female sub-group, while females exhibited CNVM more commonly than males.