SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS MAY REDUCE THE RISK OF RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate any difference in the rate of serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) use in patients with retinal vein occlusions (RVO), compared with an age-matched control group.

Methods: Retrospective data collection of risk factors and prescribed drugs from consecutive electronic patient records of all patients diagnosed with RVO over 5 years. Routine, age-matched patients were identified for a control group. The two groups were compared with Chi 2 test and multiple logistic regression. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated.

Results: In total, 775 patients were included in this study. A total of 283 patients were in the RVO group and 492 in the control group. The rate of SRI and statin use was significantly different in both groups for all ages ( P < 0.001). Logistic regression confirmed a significant reduction in RVO associated with SRI use (OR 0.39), statins (OR 0.51), and combined drugs (OR 0.22) with all groups reaching statistical significance ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion: This study has found lower rates of RVO in patients receiving an SRI or a statin compared with controls. These data suggest that individuals taking an SRI are less likely to suffer a RVO and SRIs may have an additive effect when combined with statins.