Serum androgens and prolactin levels in patients with keratoconus

Clinical relevance There is growing evidence for the involvement of sex hormones in the pathogenesis of keratoconus.Background This study aimed to evaluate serum androgen and prolactin levels in patients suffering from keratoconus.Methods One hundred and two subjects were enrolled in the keratoconus (76 patients) and control (26 subjects) groups in a cross-sectional survey. Topographic evaluation of the cornea was undertaken for all enrolled participants. Serum testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), prolactin (PRL), luteinising hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured in all subjects.Results There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics between the study groups. Significantly higher mean serum levels of DHEAS (3.71 ± 2.23 vs. 2.53 ± 1.77 µg/mL; P = 0.009) and T (6.18 ± 3.80 vs. 1.57 ± 1.76 ng/mL; P < 0.001) were observed in men with keratoconus compared to controls. In females, there were also higher mean levels of DHEAS (2.40 ± 1.57 vs. 2.18 ± 0.72 µg/mL; P = 0.355) and T (0.78 ± 0.96 vs. 0.32 ± 0.13 ng/mL; P < 0.001) in patients with keratoconus but only T level reached the statistically significant level of difference. Also, the mean serum PRL level was significantly higher in women with keratoconus compared to control (13.33 ± 17.85 vs. 4.63 ± 3.10 ng/mL; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between serum FSH and LH levels between study groups.Conclusion In patients with keratoconus, serum PRL in females and serum androgen levels in both genders are elevated.