Psychosomatic aspects in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy

Patients with central serous chorioretinopathy were tested for psychosomatic symptoms and social support at the onset of their ailments; their personality profiles were also tested.

24 consecutive outpatients at the department of ophthalmology, Freiburg University Hospital, Freiburg, Germany, presenting with central serous chorioretinopathy filled in the following standardised questionnaires: Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL 90-R), Symptom List, Questionnaire on Social Support, and Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire.

The sample (n=24) included 22 male patients with an average age of 44.1 years. Three quarters of the patients have children and live with their families; three quarters are white collar workers or self employed; one quarter are skilled blue collar workers. 12 patients were suffering from the ailment for the first time; 12 patients were undergoing a relapse. Mean visus of the affected eye was 0.8. The Symptom List yielded an inconspicuous total score for psychosomatic symptoms. In the SCL 90-R, nine out of 24 patients (37%) evinced elevated psychic stress. The total value of the questionnaire on social support showed good social support. In the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, the patients showed heightened emotional instability and insecurity as well as flexibility and spontaneity.

The sociodemographic data confirm that central serous chorioretinopathy is predominantly an ailment of middle aged, socially well integrated men. This study suggests elevated psychic stress a few weeks after the onset of the ailment. The personality factors in the patients with central serous chorioretinopathy found in this study have to be verified with other populations. These results did not clearly show that psychosocial factors have a definite role in the aetiology of central serous chorioretinopathy. In order to make any clear assertions about this matter, further longitudinal studies on the progression of psychosocial parameters with larger patient samples would be indispensable.