Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Obesity and Choroidal Nevus in US Adults.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate sex differences and the effect of other variables on the association between obesity and choroidal nevus in the US adult population.

METHODS

The study population of this cross-sectional study included 5575 subjects aged ≥40 years from the 2005 to 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) who underwent retinal imaging. Primary predictor variables were body mass index (BMI) when the subject was 25 years old ("former BMI") and BMI at time of NHANES participation ("current BMI"). Body mass index was classified "elevated" (≥25 kg/m2) versus "normal" (<25 kg/m2). The main outcome measure was choroidal nevus in either eye on retinal imaging. Subgroup analysis was stratified by sex and race.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study population was 56.4 years, with 47.3% male and 52.7% female subjects. The prevalence of choroidal nevus was 4.7% overall. Former elevated BMI was associated with choroidal nevus in the overall population (odds ratio [OR]: 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.71, P = 0.01) and males (OR: 1.43, CI: 1.03-1.99, P = 0.03). Current elevated BMI was associated with choroidal nevus in the overall population (OR: 1.37, CI: 1.02-1.85, P = 0.04); females (OR: 1.72, CI: 1.11-2.68, P = 0.02), and postmenopausal females (OR: 1.94, CI: 1.23-3.06, P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Choroidal nevus is associated with former and current obesity. Sex and postmenopausal status differences in this association could provide insight into the demographics of patients at risk for developing choroidal nevus.