COMPARISON OF SERUM SODIUM AND SERUM POTASSIUM LEVELS AMONG SENILE CATARACT PATIENTS AND PATIENTS WITHOUT CATARACT OF SAME AGE GROUP AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, MANDYA.

Corresponding Author:
Poornima Basavaraj,
#304 B, Doctors Quarters,
Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences,
Mandya-571401,
Karnataka,
India.
E-mail: skandaravi31@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Previous study reports suggest an association between deranged metabolism of serum sodium and serum potassium with age related cataracts.

       The present study was aimed to compare the mean serum sodium and potassium levels between the senile cataract patients and patients without senile cataract, but in the same age group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Case control study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital of Mandya district. A total of 120 Individuals were included, who were aged above 50 years of age, who came to our department of ophthalmology; they were divided into case group (with cataract and control group (without cataract). The mean levels of serum sodium and potassium between two groups were calculated and compared.

RESULTS

120 patients were included in the study. Out of which 60 patients belonged to cataract group (case group) and 60 patients belonged to without cataract group (control group). Mean serum sodium levels in senile cataract group (Case Group) and without cataract group (Control Group) was 140.32 ± 3.19 and 138.90 ± 2.77 meq/L which was clinically significant (0.011). Mean serum potassium level in cataract and without cataract group was 4.11 ± 0.47 meq/L and 4.36 + 0.39 meq/L which was clinically significant (0.003).

CONCLUSION

Serum sodium level was found to be higher in case group suggesting one of the aetiopathogenesis for cataract formation. Hence higher sodium dietary intake could be a risk factor, which can be delayed with low dietary intake of sodium.

KEY WORDS

Cataract, Without Cataract, Serum Sodium, Serum Potassium.