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Year : 2019 Month : January Volume : 8 Issue : 2 Page : 111-113

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.

Poornima Basavaraj1, Manjula Thamabuswamy Ramamurthy2, Prathibha Shiveshi3

1Senior Resident, Department of Ophthalmology, Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya, Karnataka, India.
2Professor and HOD, Department of Ophthalmology, Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya, Karnataka, India.
3Post Graduate Student, Department of Ophthalmology, Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya, Karnataka, India.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR

Poornima Basavaraj,
Email : skandaravi31@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

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.

BACKGROUND

The crystalline lens is a transparent structure. Its transparency may be disturbed due to degenerative process leading to the opacification of lens fibres. And this development of an opacity in the lens is known as cataract.

Cataract, being the most important cause of blindness in worldwide. Up to 50 millions in the world suffer from age-related cataract.(1,2) and its prevalence in developing countries is much more increasing than the developed ones. Annual new cases of cataract in India is found to be 4 millions.(3)

Multiple mechanisms are involved as such osmotic graduation, protein aggregates, oxidative stress, post translational protein changes, phase separation which are proposed for cataract formation, though the exact pathogenesis is not yet known.(4-10) Several other risk factors are the reason for the development of cataract in which one is found to be the serum sodium levels in the cataract patientslens which has the ion pump mechanism is not only applicable for the lens matter but is also related to the serum or plasma level of serum sodium and serum potassium i.e, normal lens has the Na+ -K+ ATPase pump which keeps the ion in balance.(11-12) Hence increase in serum sodium and decrease in serum potassium level can lead to cataract formation.

Given the extend of disability caused by cataract formation it is important that some measures to be taken to slow down the development of the cataract, as we cannot prevent it from occurring. A delay in cataract formation for 10 years will reduce the prevalence of cataract by 50%, such delay will enhance the quality of the life for much of the older population and reduces the economic burden due to visual disability and surgery.(13)

Several earlier studies have showed that the nutritional factor is been a risk factor for development of cataract in particular increased intake of the dietary sodium i.e., elevated serum sodium being a risk factor. Hence the prevention of excess dietary intake may delay the progression of cataract.(14-16)

So, the present study was aimed to evaluate the serum sodium and serum potassium level between two groups of cataract and without cataract of same age group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case control study was carried out during a period of three months i.e., May 2017 to July 2017. And the study was conducted after obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee, department of Ophthalmology, MIMS, Mandya. A total of 120 Patients (60 patients as case group and 60 patients as control group) were included, who came for ophthalmic evaluation. These two group as case group and control group) of same age group. Patients with hypertension, diabetes and any other systemic disorders were excluded. Patients on examination with other causes of cataract like post inflammation, steroid induced, traumatic and retinal pathology and any other pathology were dropped out of study. Detailed anterior and posterior, retinal examination was carried out. Later grading of cataract done using LOCS II classification. Then a fasting-state blood sample was obtained from both case group and control group and sent to the laboratory by drawing 2 ml of blood taken under aseptic precautions. Serum sodium and serum potassium level were measured with flame photometry method. The normal reference of serum sodium and serum potassium level for analysis used were 130-143 meq/L and 3.5-5.5 meq/L.

Sample size was taken for convenience.

Group 1 (Case Group)

Senile cataract (Nuclear/cortical/posterior subcapsular cataract) patients, who were posted for cataract surgery.

 

Group 2 (Control Group)

Senile normal healthy individuals without cataract, who were came to OPD for routine check-up with same age and sex matched with group 1.

 

Statistical Methods

Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis has been carried out in the present study. Results on continuous measurements are presented on Mean ± SD (Min-Max) and results on categorical measurements are presented in Number (%). Significance is assessed at 5 % level of significance.

Student t test (Two tailed, independent) has been used to find the significance of study

 

RESULTS

In this study a total of 120 individuals were included, out of which the case group consisted of 60 patients with senile cataract and other 60 patients without cataract of same age group. Control group and case group were taken in the same age and sex group. The mean age for case group was 60.80 ± 8.45 year and that of control group was found to be 59.00 ± 6.75 year.

The mean serum sodium levels among case group and control group were found to be with the mean serum sodium levels to be higher in case group 140.32 ± 3.19 meq/L compared to control group(table-1) and the difference was moderately statistically significant in case group (138.90 ± 2.77 meq/L (p-Value 0.011).

The mean serum potassium levels among case group and control group were found to be with the mean serum potassium levels to be lower in case group 4.11 ± 0.47 meq/L compared to 4.36 ± 0.39 meq/L control group and the difference was statistically significant in case group (p-Value 0.003)

These above results are not same as previous studies, the serum sodium level with moderate significance shown the variable results whereas the serum potassium levels showed the similar significance with the previous studies results.(17,18,19)

 

Serum Cations

Case (Cataract)

Control

(No Cataract)

p-Value

Serum Sodium (mEq/l)

140.32 ± 3.19

138.90 ± 2.77

0.011*

Serum Potassium (mEq/l)

4.11 ± 0.47

4.36 ± 0.39

0.003**

Table 1. Comparison of Serum Sodium and Potassium Levels

 

DISCUSSION

There have been various models describing the multiple risk factors involved in cataract development. Despite the complexity of identifying cataract risk factors, attempt should be provided with new hopes in dealing with morbidity of cataract and the cost of disease.

David Maurice 25 years ago, discussed the togetherness with the cell-to-cell movement of ions which is facilitated by extensive coupling in the lens cell mass. The expression of different Na, K-ATPase and Ca-ATPase isoforms in lens epithelium and fiber cells is considered along with mechanisms that potentially regulate the activity of these transport proteins.(20)

The main aim of the present study was to find the significant difference between serum sodium and serum potassium levels in individuals with cataract and without cataract of same age group.

Comparison of the means of serum sodium and potassium among cases and controls indicated significantly high levels of serum sodium in blood of cataract patients as compared to their controls.

Earlier previous studies have shown the results different for serum potassium levels whereas the levels of serum sodium have found to be consistent.(21)

Zil’fian et al, studies showed the mechanism of balance of ion exchange within the lens and its disturbance in formation of cataract.(22)

Gaurav Mathur et al, study showed increase in serum sodium level with statistically significant with insignificant serum potassium levels.

Hence by the above discussion it holds that any change in the ion exchange pump mechanism is the pathogenesis for cataract formation which can be directly related to the nutritional status of the person. As we know, high level of serum sodium in turn leads to cataract formation.(23)

CONCLUSION

According to this study, the serum sodium levels were found to be higher in case group when compared to control group and its reduction in diet may delay the formation of the cataract. Hence serum sodium may be considered as one of the risk factor for cataract pathogenesis. Where increase in dietary intake of serum sodium can be directly affected with ion exchange pump mechanism in the lens and anterior chamber leading to cataract formation. Further studies are required to support these findings and larger number of patients are required for accurate statistical findings.

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