ISSN: 2155-9570
Irit Bahar, Shlomo Vinker, Eitan Livny and Igor Kaiserman
Purpose: To compare the prevalence of renal disorders in keratoconus patients with an age-matched, nonkeratoconic population.
Methods: This retrospective, observational, comparative case-control study included all members of the Central District of Clalit Health Services in Israel with a diagnosis of keratoconus during the years 2000 to 2007 (study group; n=426) and 1704 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. We calculated the prevalence of chronic renal failure, other kidney diseases, renal malignancy and kidney transplant in both groups. We also evaluated the risk for osteoporosis, diabetes and hypertension in the patients with keratoconus. Data on medication use associated with renal diseases was collected as well.
Results: On average, a significantly higher percentage of chronic renal failure were demonstrated in the study group (1.88%) compared to the controls (0.53%, OR=3.6 95% CI=1.4-9.4). This was also true for other kidney diseases (3.8% vs. 1.7%, OR=2.1, 1.1-3.9). In the patients with keratoconus, we also noted an increased prevalence of osteoporosis (OR=2.2, 1.1-4.2), diabetes (OR=1.8, 1.1-3.0) and hypertension (OR=1.4, 0.94-1.9), and a significant higher trend in the use of ACE inhibitors, alpha blockers, beta-blockers, corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressant’s and biphosphonates.
Conclusions: Renal disorders were significantly more common among keratoconus patients.