J Nutr Health.  2019 Jun;52(3):277-284. 10.4163/jnh.2019.52.3.277.

The association between dietary sodium intake and the risk of cataract: data from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012

• Choi JH
• Heo YR

• KMID: 2450425
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2019.52.3.277

Abstract

PURPOSE
Sodium intake is known to be a critical dietary factor in several diseases including cataract. Earlier studies have reported that excess intake of sodium may elevate the risk of cataract. However, little is known about this in Koreans. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine whether dietary intake of sodium and potassium might modify the risk of cataract.
METHODS
A total of 1,319 males (219 cases) and 1,966 females (369 cases) from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012 were analyzed. Energy adjusted dietary intakes of sodium and potassium and their ratios were evaluated to ascertain their associations with the risk of cataract. Dietary intake levels were stratified into quartiles and their risk modifying effects were estimated with logistic regression models with or without subjects' socio-economic characteristics and life styles for each sex.
RESULTS
Findings suggested that various descriptive factors were associated with the risk of cataract either in males or females. Males' intake levels of sodium and potassium and their ratios did not differ between phenotypes. Higher intakes or higher ratio was not associated with the risk of cataract. In contrast, female controls had higher intakes of sodium and potassium. Higher intake of potassium reduced the risk of cataract in females. However, such association was not retained when subjects' socioeconomic status and life styles were factored into the analysis.
CONCLUSION
Dietary sodium and potassium intakes minimally affected the risk of cataract in Korean males and females. More studies are needed to ascertain the true pathological effect of sodium intake on cataract aetiology.

Keyword

sodium; potassium; sodium/potassium ratio; cataract

MeSH Terms

Cataract*
Female
Humans
Life Style
Logistic Models
Male
Nutrition Surveys*
Phenotype
Potassium
Social Class
Sodium
Sodium, Dietary*
Potassium
Sodium
Sodium, Dietary

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A simplified flow chart showing the selection of study subjects

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  Fig. 2 Mean intake of sodium and potassium and their ratio for each quartile group in male controls (A) and cases (B) and in female controls (C) and cases (D)

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