Trace microalbuminuria in inflammatory cystoid macular edema

To assess the role of cardiovascular morbidity, its risk factors, and microalbuminuria in the development of inflammatory cystoid macular edema (CME).

A matched case-control study.

study population: We included 24 consecutive patients with uveitis and CME. Twenty four uveitis patients without CME, matched for age and duration of uveitis served as controls. intervention and observation procedures: Patients and controls were interviewed for the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular morbidity. All medications were registered. Morning urinary albumin concentration was measured, as well as blood pressure, C-reactive protein, and creatinine in blood. Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus were excluded from this study. main outcome measures: The presence of cardiovascular morbidity and its risk factors and microalbuminuria in uveitis patients with and without CME.

We found a positive association between trace- and/or microalbuminuria and inflammatory CME (P = .001; odds ratio 13.0, 95% CI 2.5 to 68.1 and P = .015; odds ratio 5.9, 95% CI 1.6 to 22.6), but no relation between CME and cardiovascular morbidity or its risk factors. No additional association between trace- and/or any microalbuminuria and general characteristics of patients, specific factors related to general disease as a cause of ocular inflammation, location of uveitis, duration of uveitis, and medication was found.

The presence of trace- and/or microalbuminuria in inflammatory CME might indicate the presence of early systemic vascular disease and carry the risk of developing CME. This finding brings new insight into the pathogenesis of CME and could open up new avenues for the treatment of CME.