The Role of Atopy in the Choroidal Profile of Keratoconus Patients

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Moleiro, AF (Author) FMUP; Aires, AF (Author) Other; Alves, H (Author) FMUP; Pinto, JV (Author) Other; Ângela Carneiro (Author) FMUP; Falcao Reis, F (Author) Other; Figueira, L (Author) FMUP; Pinheiro Costa, J (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Clinical Ophthalmology

Vol. 15

Pages: 1799-1807

ISSN: 1177-5467

Publisher: Dove Medical Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-W91

DOI: 10.2147/opth.s301330

Abstract (EN): Purpose: Although classically classified as a non-inflammatory condition, an inflammatory basis for keratoconus (KC) appears to be a growing evidence. Recently, it has been shown that KC patients have an increased choroidal thickness (CT). Among inflammatory disorders, atopy has been associated with KC development; therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate if the increased CT in patients with KC is related to atopy. Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study of patients with KC. Patients were classified as atopic and non-atopic according to their atopy history (allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR), asthma (AA) and/or atopic dermatitis (AD)) and were also classified based on their eye rubbing habits. Choroidal profile of all subjects was evaluated using a Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) device with enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode. CT was measured and compared between groups at the center of the fovea and at 500 mu m intervals along a horizontal section. A multivariable analysis, adjusted for sex, age, spherical equivalent, history of medication and atopy, was performed to assess the influence of atopy in CT. Results: Of the 80 patients included, 51 were atopic and 29 non-atopic. Atopic patients showed a thicker choroid in every measured location than the non-atopic patients (mean subfoveal CT 391.53 mu m vs 351.17 mu m, respectively), although the differences were not statistically different. The multivariable analysis revealed that being atopic makes the choroid statistically thicker, on average, 55.14 mu m, when compared to non-atopic patients (p=0.043). Furthermore, patients who are frequent eye rubbers have significantly thicker choroids than non-rubbers (p=0.004). Conclusion: Although some results do not reach statistical significance, atopic KC patients seem to have thicker choroids compared with non-atopic KC patients, suggesting a possible role for atopy in the choroidal profile of KC. This constitutes a completely new sight in this field of research that needs further investigation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9