TOPLINE:
Elevated blood levels of estradiol are associated with an increased risk for corneal ectasia, characterized by thinning and outward bulging of the tissue, in premenopausal women.
METHODOLOGY:
- Researchers conducted an observational case-control study of premenopausal women with naturally occurring corneal ectasia, named keratoconus (n = 36), or those who developed ectasia after refractive surgery (n = 29) from an eye clinic in Israel between 2019 and 2022, and healthy women from hospital staff (n = 31).
- The median age of the participants was 29, 33, and 31 years, respectively.
- Levels of estradiol in the study participants were measured on the second day of their menstrual cycles.
TAKEAWAY:
- The mean levels of estradiol were 38.0 pg/mL in patients with keratoconus, 43.4 pg/mL in those who developed ectasia after surgery, and 28.6 pg/mL in the healthy controls (all P = .001).
- Increased levels of estradiol were associated with corneal ectasia (adjusted odds ratio, 2.44; P
- Age and use of oral contraceptives were not associated with the risk for corneal ectasia.
IN PRACTICE:
“Our results could have an impact on patient selection for refractive surgery and on better management of patients with keratoconus,” the authors wrote.
SOURCE:
The study was led by Nir Stanescu, MD, of the Department of Ophthalmology at Assuta Samson Hospital, in Ashdod, Israel. It was published online on July 26, 2024, in the European Journal of Ophthalmology.
LIMITATIONS:
The sample size of the study was relatively small. Causality could not be established due to cross-sectional design. The control group consisting of hospital staff may have led to selection bias. The study did not account for factors such as body mass index, diet, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and exercise, which may affect the circulating levels of estradiol.
DISCLOSURES:
The study did not receive any financial support. The authors declared no conflicts of interests.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Source link : https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/elevated-estradiol-linked-bulging-cornea-premenopausal-women-2024a1000dx9?src=rss
Author :
Publish date : 2024-07-30 10:14:11
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