BMI in keratoconus patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The relationship between body mass index and keratometric indices, a comparison between keratoconus patients and the control group
IRAS ID
318574
Contact name
Zahra Ashena
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
BHRUT
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
156768, EDGE
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 29 days
Research summary
Keratoconus is a progressing condition, in which the cornea thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape. It induces irregular astigmatism, which is not correctable with glasses/contact lenses. The manifestation of keratoconus usually starts in early teenagehood. It is less likely for the disease to start later in life since the cornea naturally stiffens with ageing, which makes it less likely to bulge. The patients will need rigid contact lenses to improve their vision, which is not unfortunately tolerated by all patients and in advanced disease they develop complications which will leave a large central corneal scar and removes the vision. The only effective treatment for advanced disease is a corneal transplant. Unfortunately, this condition affects young patients (between the second and fourth decade of life), who have years ahead of them.
It is noticed that some of these patients are overweight or obese. This is even more noticeable in patients with advanced keratoconus. First of all very few studies have looked at a potential link between obesity and keratoconus. Second, they have come across contradictory results. Having said that, there is no UK-based study on this subject and the literature lacks a well-conducted case-control study.
The purpose of this study is to compare the body mass index (defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height) of adults with keratoconus, with age/ethnicity/gender-matched controls in a UK population.
The mean body mass index between the disease and control groups will be compared to see if there is any significant difference. Also, some analysis will be performed to assess any potential correlation between the corneal steepness and body mass index in the disease group.
The results of this study can help establish an important risk factor for the progression of this condition in the UK population.REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SC/0171
Date of REC Opinion
12 May 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion