Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and senile cataract in a sardinian population, Italy

Abstract

Abstract Purpose There is still no general agreement on the role of G6PD deficiency in the pathogenesis of cataract. Although G6PD deficiency has been correlated with cataract in some studies, other reports have showed no correlation. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in male patients of Sardinian origin with senile cataract and to compare it with the prevalence rate of G6PD deficiency in the general population of the same area. Methods Erythrocyte G6PD activity was determined using a quantitative assay in 1628 male patients with cataract. The control group consisted of 1646 apparently healthy male patients from the same area described in a former study. Student’s t test was used to determine differences between groups. Results G6PD deficiency was found in 134 (8.2%) patients with cataract and in 120 (7%) control subjects. Differences between cases and controls were not statistically significant (P=0.78). Conclusion The results of this large study suggest that male patients with G6PD deficiency in the Sardinian population do not have a higher risk of developing presenile cataract.