Consanguineous Marriage as a Risk Factor for Developing Keratoconus.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Genetics
• Public Health

Background:

• Heredity is a significant factor in the development of keratoconus (KC).
• Consanguineous marriage (CM) can influence the inheritance patterns of genetic disorders.
• Understanding the role of CM in KC pathogenesis is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between consanguineous marriage and the incidence of keratoconus.
• To determine if consanguinity increases the risk of developing KC.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study was conducted with 415 KC patients and 415 matched healthy controls from Iran.
• Consanguineous marriage types were assessed using a checklist.
• The mean inbreeding coefficient (α) was calculated and compared between groups.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of parental first-cousin marriages was 35.4% in KC patients versus 18.3% in controls.
• The mean inbreeding coefficient (α) was significantly higher in the KC patient group (0.0291) compared to the control group (0.0135).
• A statistically significant association (P < 0.001) was found between higher inbreeding coefficients and KC development.

Conclusions:

• Consanguineous marriage is a potential contributing factor in the pathogenesis of keratoconus.
• Healthcare systems should consider the role of CM in screening programs for keratoconus, especially in regions with high prevalence.