The influence of Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus and Smoking on Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD)

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To detect environmental factors, which may be possible risk factors in the disease course of Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Methods: Evaluation of patients with FECD registered in the FECD genetics database of the Center for Ophthalmology, University Hospital Cologne. For the evaluation, disease onset, central corneal thickness (CCT), best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA, logMAR), and modified Krachmer grading (grades 1-6) were correlated with the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM), body mass index (BMI), and smoking behavior. To put the age-related increase in Krachmer grading into perspective, a correction of grading were formed. Depending on the variables studied, differences between groups were examined by Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test. The significance level was 5%. Results: 403 patients with FECD were included in the analysis. The mean age at diagnosis was 63.1 ±13.2 years. The female-to-male ratio was 1.46:1. Patients with a BMI > 30.0 kg/m² developed FECD significantly earlier than patients with a BMI < 30 kg/m²,p = 0.001. Patients with DM showed significantly more often an Krachmer grade of 5, p = 0.015. Smoking had a negative effect on Krachmer grading (p = 0.024). Using the mediation analysis, the presence of DM correlated Krachmer Grade 5 (p = 0.015), and the presence of DM correlated with BMI > 30.0 kg/m2 (p = 0.012). Conclusions: In addition to smoking and DM our study shows for the first time a negative impact of obesity on the development of FECD. Whether dietary interventions can influence the development or progression of the disease needs to be investigated in future studies.