Sodium Intake and Socioeconomic Status as Risk Factors for Development of Age-Related Cataracts: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Jeong Hun Bae, Doo Sup Shin, Sung Chul Lee and In Cheol Hwang

PLOS ONE, 2015, vol. 10, issue 8, 1-11

Abstract: Purpose: Cataract is a very prevalent ocular disorder, and environmental risk factors for age-related cataracts have been widely investigated. We aimed to evaluate an association of dietary sodium intake and socioeconomic factors with the development of age-related cataracts. Methods: A cross-sectional case-control study based on the 2008–2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Dietary sodium intake was estimated using urinary sodium to creatinine ratio (U[Na+]/Cr). Results: Among a total 12,693 participants, 2,687 (21.1%) had cataracts and 10,006 patients without cataracts served as controls. The prevalence of cataracts increased with age and quartiles of U[Na+]/Cr (p for trend 16.4 mmol/mmol; aOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.16–1.44). In a subgroup analysis, a robust effect on cataracts across U[Na+]/Cr quartiles was observed in patients ≥ 50 years of age (aOR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04–1.18), though not in younger patients (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 0.96–1.17). Conclusions: Our results suggest that high sodium intake and low socioeconomic status may affect the development of cataracts, and that a low-salt diet could be helpful for the prevention of cataracts in an older population. Furthermore, efforts to close gaps in health services due to socioeconomic factors may contribute to a reduction in the prevalence of cataracts.

Date: 2015
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0136218

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136218

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