Submacular Hemorrhages Show no Significant Seasonal Variations in a European Cohort

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To investigate seasonal variations in the onset of acute submacular hemorrhages (SMHs) in a European population and analyze the influence of the seasons, arterial hypertension and intake of anticoagulatory/antiplatelet (AC/AP) medication on hemorrhage size. Methods: This retrospective, monocentric study included 164 eyes of 164 patients treated for acute SMH at the University Hospital Münster, Germany, between 01/01/2016 and 12/31/2021. Data on the day of occurrence, hemorrhage size and general patient characteristics were recorded. “Test for cyclic trends in incidence data” was applied to investigate seasonal variations in SMH incidence. Fisher’s exact test was used to investigate the influence of the seasons, arterial hypertension and intake of AC/AP medication on hemorrhage size. Results: Statistical analysis did not reveal significant seasonal variations in the occurrence of SMHs (p = 0.81). While the seasons and the presence of systemic arterial hypertension did not exert a significant influence, intake of AC/AP medication significantly affected the size of SMH (p = 0.03). Conclusion: In this European cohort no significant seasonal variations of SMHs were observed. However, in patients with risk factors, such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), the chance of an increase in hemorrhage size should be considered when initiating AC/AP therapy.