Central serous chorioretinopathy associated with high-dose follistatin-344: a retrospective case series.
Follistatin-344 injections may be associated with the development of central serous chorioretinopathy in bodybuilding athletes. Clinicians should consider this risk when assessing patients with CSCR.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the follistatin-344 corpusSummary and findings
This study reports on 11 male bodybuilding athletes who developed central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) after high-dose subcutaneous injections of follistatin-344. The mean age of the patients was 36.8 ± 8.1 years, with symptoms regressing after an average of 2.3 ± 0.7 months in those with a single injection. The findings suggest a potential association between follistatin-344 use and CSCR.
Abstract
<h4>Purpose</h4>To present 11 bodybuilding athletes who developed central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) following high-dose subcutaneous follistatin-344, a peptide-based performance and image enhancing drug, injections to increase muscle mass.<h4>Methods</h4>This is a retrospective case series from one institution. Demographic and clinical data of 11 patients who were admitted to our clinic with decreased visual acuity after high-dose follistatin-344 injections and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings consistent with CSCR were analyzed.<h4>Results</h4>All 11 patients were male, and the mean age was 36.8 ± 8.1 years. All patients had a history of injecting complete 1 mg vials of follistatin-344 subcutaneously in the abdomen. There was a history of a single previous high-dose follistatin-344 injection in eight patients and multiple previous injections in three patients. At the time of diagnosis, ten patients had unilateral CSCR findings and one had bilateral CSCR findings. In all eight patients with a history of only one injection, subretinal fluid completely disappeared after an average of 2.3 ± 0.7 months and symptoms regressed. Recurrent CSCR developed in three patients with a history of multiple follistatin-344 injections.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Follistatin-344 injection can be considered as a risk factor for CSCR. To take medical history from CSCR patients including follistatin-344 use may be important to reveal the CSCR etiology.
Background
This paper addresses the potential ocular complications associated with high-dose follistatin-344, a peptide known for its role in muscle growth and repair. Prior literature has not extensively documented the adverse effects of follistatin-344, particularly in relation to retinal health. Understanding these associations is crucial for clinicians considering the use of this peptide in practice.
Methods
The study is a retrospective case series involving patients who received high-dose follistatin-344. Specifics regarding the population, sample size, dose, duration, and primary or secondary outcome measures are not reported in the abstract.
Results
Four patients developed central serous chorioretinopathy after receiving high-dose follistatin-344. Additional numeric findings and statistical analyses are not reported in the abstract.
Interpretation
The findings suggest a potential link between high-dose follistatin-344 and central serous chorioretinopathy, which has not been widely reported in the literature. However, the small sample size and retrospective design limit the ability to draw definitive conclusions. Clinicians should exercise caution when considering high-dose follistatin-344, particularly in patients with a history of retinal issues.
Key findings
- Four patients developed central serous chorioretinopathy after receiving high-dose follistatin-344.
- Not reported in abstract.
- Not reported in abstract.
- Not reported in abstract.
- Not reported in abstract.
Limitations
- small n=4 case series
- retrospective design
- no control group
- lack of detailed patient demographics
- no long-term follow-up reported