Purpose: To determine the incidence of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in Olmsted County, Minnesota from 1980 to 2002, determine the associated risk factors for CSC based on previously reported risk factors, investigate for any new risk factors not previously reported, and determine a population-based recurrence rate.
Design: Population-based retrospective cohort and case-control study.
Participants: Cases were all patients with newly diagnosed CSC in Olmsted County Minnesota, from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 2002. Controls were selected from the same general population. Control group 1 patients were matched for age, gender, length of medical follow-up, and index date (corresponding with date of diagnosis for cases). Control group 2 patients were matched for all the same criteria as control group 1, and they had documented normal eye examination results.
Methods: Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records linkage system, which captures virtually all medical care provided to residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, we identified all cases of CSC in county residents between 1980 and 2002. We reviewed the entire medical record of cases and applied standardized criteria for CSC. The medical records of cases and controls were reviewed for the presence of risk factors as well.
Main outcome measure: Incidence of CSC. Secondary outcomes were also evaluated.
Results: There were 74 cases (63 men, 11 women) of CSC. Mean annual age-adjusted incidences per 100 000 were 9.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.4-12.4) for men and 1.7 (95% CI, 0.7-2.7) for women. The incidence of CSC was approximately 6 times higher in men than in women (P<0.001). There were no significant risk factors identified for CSC. Twenty-three (31%) of the 74 patients with CSC had recurrences. The mean number of recurrences was 1.5 (range, 1-4). Median time from diagnosis to recurrence was 1.3 years (range, 0.4-18.2).
Conclusion: The incidence of CSC has not previously been reported in a population-based study. In accordance with previous studies, we found that CSC occurs more frequently in men than in women.