Serum Sodium Concentration and Increased Risk for Primary Epiretinal Membrane.

Can Can Xue,Chun Zhang,Dong Ning Chen,Jing Cui,Ya Xing Wang,Jost B Jonas,Jie Xu,Xiao Bo Zhu

doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.770362

Abstract

Aims: To examine the prevalence of primary epiretinal membranes (ERMs) and associated systemic factors.Methods: The cross-sectional, community-based Tongren Health Care Study enrolled participants who received regular health examinations in the Beijing Tongren Hospital from 2017 to 2019. Using fundus photographs, retinal specialists assessed the presence of ERMs and their systemic associations.Results: Primary ERMs were detected in 841/22820 individuals, with a prevalence of 3.7% [95% confidence intervals (CI): 3.4–3.9%] in the total study population (mean age: 44.5 ± 13.8 years) and 6.5% (95% CI: 6.1–7.0%) in individuals aged 40+ years. In multivariable analysis, a higher ERMs prevalence was associated with older age [odds ratio (OR): 1.10; P < 0.001], higher serum cholesterol concentration (OR: 1.14; P = 0.003) and higher serum sodium concentration (SSC) (OR: 1.12; P < 0.001). In women, a higher SSC, even within the normal range, was associated with an increased risk of ERMs (OR: 1.19; P < 0.001). Female participants with an SSC of 144–145mmol/L as compared with those with an SSC of 135–137 mmol/L had a 5-fold increased odds of having ERMs (All women: OR: 5.33; P < 0.001; Women aged 40+years: OR: 4.63; P < 0.001).Conclusion: Besides older age and higher serum cholesterol concentration, a higher SSC, even if within the normal range, was independently associated with a higher ERM prevalence in women.

Highlights

Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) are a common cause of visual impairment in the elderly population [1,2,3,4,5], with the pooled prevalence from population-based studies to be 9.7% [6]
Most ERMs remain relatively stable and treatment is not required, while vitrectomy surgery is indicated for ERMs patients associated with symptoms that severely affect their activities of daily living, including decreased visual acuity, metamorphopsia, double vision, or difficulty using their eyes together [2, 12]
ERMs were found in 988 participants (4.3 ± 0.1%; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 4.1–4.6%), among whom 147 subjects (0.6 ± 0.1%; 95% CI: 0.5–0.7%) with diabetic retinopathy (19/12.9%), retinal vascular diseases (7/4.8%), late-stage age-related macular degeneration (6/4.1%), other types of retinopathies (20/13.6%), history or signs of vitreous or retinal surgery (7/4.7%), and previous cataract surgery (88/59.9%) were classified as secondary ERMs and were excluded

Summary

Introduction

Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) are a common cause of visual impairment in the elderly population [1,2,3,4,5], with the pooled prevalence from population-based studies to be 9.7% [6]. While intraocular causes including retinal diseases, previous intraocular surgeries, hyperopia, or myopia were reported to be associated with secondary ERMs, to mention a few [1, 3, 5, 7, 8], idiopathic ERMs. Serum Sodium and Epiretinal Membrane present in eyes without evident abnormality, and their causes remain to be elusive [9]. Our knowledge on the pathophysiology of ERM has been improved greatly by histopathological studies and advanced image technologies, there’re no preventive measures since the exact pathological mechanisms of ERMs remain unknown

Methods

Results

Conclusion