Psychiatric evaluation in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy in Asian Indians

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed at psychiatric evaluation of patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and its association. Material: Consecutive patients diagnosed to have CSCR were included in the study. The participants underwent a routine eye examination. After informed consent, participants were subjected to psychiatric evaluation by a qualified psychiatrist. Details of evaluation and psychiatric disorders were documented and if treatment required were given by the psychiatrist. The outcome measure was the incidence of psychological disorder. Results: Cross-sectional observational data analysis of 40 patients diagnosed to have treatment-naive CSCR who agreed to undergo psychiatric evaluation were included in the study. The ethnic origin of the patients was Asian Indian. The mean age was 39.55 ± 8.33 years with a male to female ratio of 33:7. After a thorough psychiatric evaluation, 31 individuals (77.5%) diagnosed to have mixed anxiety disorders, 4 (10%) had the major depressive disorder, and 5 (12.5%) had adjustment disorder. All 40 patients had stressed personality. All 40 patients had treatment with anti-anxiolytics and advised lifestyle modification. Of these 40 patients, one patient (2.5%) underwent treatment additionally with an antidepressant. Conclusion: All patients with acute CSCR had some form of psychiatric disorder. Psychiatric evaluation in acute treatment naïve CSCR may contribute to the management besides other factors known in the management.

Psychometric assessment of patients with central serous chorioretinopathy and correlation with disease stage and progression: a case control study

“…In contrast to previous publications, we did not find evidence for higher levels of depression [ 14 , 15 ] and anxiety [ 14 , 15 , 17 , 18 ] in CSC patients compared to our control groups (Fig. 1 ).…”

“…Most studies of individual psychological traits (rather than just personality types) compared CSC patients with healthy age- and sex-matched controls [ 14 , 17 ], if they had control groups at all [ 15 , 16 , 18 ]. Consistent with these reports [ 14 – 16 ], we also found higher stress level in CSC patients compared to a control group without retinal disease (Fig.…”

“…As several mental or psychiatric conditions can increase cortisol levels [ 12 , 13 ], some reports have suggested that they may also trigger CSC. Studies focusing on stress [ 14 – 16 ], depression [ 14 , 15 ] and anxiety [ 14 , 15 , 17 , 18 ] have often shown association with CSC. However, many of these psychological assessments lacked a healthy control group [ 15 , 16 ] and in particular a control group consisting of patients with another retinal disease to account for a possible influence of visual deterioration on psychometric scores.…”

Anxiolytics in the treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy

“…As a continuation of our paper in this journal on psychiatric evaluation of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) patients in Asian Indians,[ 1 ] the results show a higher incidence of anxiety and depressive disorders in CSCR individuals. As a corollary to that, we are suggesting treating the subset of patients with Type A personality[ 2 ] with anxiolytic (acting on GABA pathway) and anti-depressant (serotonin pathway action) drugs.…”

Unraveling the Puzzle of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: Exploring Psychological Factors and Pathophysiological Mechanisms

“…Chronic patients experienced more stressful events and lesion size was linked with anxiety scores [ 42 ]. Studies conducted among the Asian population revealed that patients with CSCR have a high tendency to develop mixed anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, and hysteria [ 43 – 45 ].…”