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Central serous chorioretinopathy and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors: a case-control postmarketing surveillance study

French DD, Margo CE

Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.), 2010

577 participants

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an increased risk of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) associated with prescription exposure to phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors.

METHODS: A case-control study linking 2 National Veterans Health Administration databases (clinical and pharmacy) for fiscal years 2004 to 2005. The likelihood of past exposure to PDE-5 inhibitors among newly diagnosed patients with CSC, identified through International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition, Clinical Modification codes, was compared with 2 age-matched control groups after excluding subjects with risk factors for CSC.

RESULTS: Among 577 men, aged 59 years and younger with newly diagnosed CSC during the study year, 111 were prescribed a PDE-5 inhibitor (19.2%). The proportions of age-matched controls prescribed a PDE-5 inhibitor in the 2 groups were 18.5% and 21.5%. The odds ratio of exposure was 1.05 (95% confidence limit: 0.74-1.22) and 0.87 (95% confidence limit: 0.68-1.12).

CONCLUSION: Patients with CSC had no increase in prescription exposure to PDE-5 inhibitors than did age-matched control subjects. Although the findings in this study do not support an association between CSC and PDE-5 inhibitors, postmarketing surveillance methods for drug-related side effects have acknowledged limitations.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a case-control, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 577 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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