Endogenous Cortisol Level in Patients with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between endogenous cortisol levels and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). Methods: Endogenous plasma cortisol levels was determined in nine patients with acute unilateral CSCR and age and sex matched unilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) patients and normal control. In CSCR group, the examinations were repeated at two-week, four-week and 12-week follow-up. Results: The mean value of the 8 am plasma cortisol level in the CSCR group had no significant difference with the mean value in the normal control group (8.70±5.48 ug/dl vs 10.29±6.07 ug/dl, p=0.844). Whereas, the mean value of the 8am plasma cortisol level in the RRD group (18.36±10.79 ug/dl) revealed significantly higher value than those in the CSCR group (p=0.013) and the normal control group (p=0.017). Conclusions: Our results could not support the relationship of endogenous cortisol with CSCR. CSCR might involve multiple pathway of pathogenesis, including non-cortisol one.