A new potential risk factor for central serous chorioretinopathy: blood pressure variability.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The choroid, mostly composed of vascular structures, can be directly affected by systemic hemodynamic changes. Blood pressure variability (BPV) may factor into choroidal dysfunction, which can be associated with the pathogenesis of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). The aim of our study was to investigate short-term BPV over 24 h in patients with acute CSCR versus healthy controls.

SUBJECTS/METHODS: Our cross-sectional comparative study included 50 patients with CSCR (i.e., patient group) and 60 healthy individuals (i.e., control group). In all participants, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure was monitored every 15 min during the day and every 30 min at night. Mean variability index (VI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during the day, at night, and across the 24-h period were subjected to statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Mean 24-h, daytime, and night-time SBP and DBP did not significantly differ between the groups. The mean 24-h and daytime VI values for SBP and DBP were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group, whereas the mean night-time VI values for SBP and DBP between the groups were similar. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that the VI values for 24-h and daytime SBP and DBP emerged as independent risk factors for developing CSCR.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that variabilities in 24-h, daytime SBP and DBP were significantly higher in patients with CSCR than in controls. Our results thus suggest that increased BPV may be a new risk factor for the development of CSCR.