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African Health Sciences
Makerere University Medical School
ISSN: 1680-6905 EISSN: 1680-6905
Vol. 19, No. 4, 2019, pp. 2839-2845
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Bioline Code: hs19151
Full paper language: English
Document type: Study
Document available free of charge
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African Health Sciences, Vol. 19, No. 4, 2019, pp. 2839-2845
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Tear electrolyte assessment of diabetic patients in Southern Nigeria
Okukpon, Juno & Okukpon, Oziegbe
Abstract
Background: Tears are a critical body extracellular fluid coating the surface epithelial cells of the cornea and conjunctiva, and
providing the optically smooth surface necessary for refraction of light onto the retina. The biological and chemical properties
of tears change in response to systemic disease.
Objectives: This study assessed the concentration of calcium, magnesium and phosphate levels in tears of diabetics.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study involving twenty diabetics visiting Department for Health Services, University of
Benin and forty non-diabetics within the University between 35 to 65 years participated in the study. Calcium, magnesium and
phosphorous were analysed in tears sample collected with 75mm glass capillary tubes.
Results: The fasting blood sugar (FBS) and age of diabetic patients was 7.48±1.88mmol/l and 56.75±5.82years and non-diabetics
was 4.83±0.52mmol/l and 53.58±6.16years respectively. Magnesium showed no differences (P<0.05) between diabetics
(0.76±0.45mmol/l) and non-diabetics (0.93±0.59mmol/l). Calcium was elevated (P=0.041) and phosphate (P=0.044) was decreased
in diabetics (3.14±1.65mmol/l and 0.074±0.058mmol/l) than non-diabetics (2.41±1.05mmol/l and 0.11±0.081mmol/l).
Conclusion: This study concluded that being diabetic can affect the levels of some tear electrolytes in the tear fluid which may
lead to an increased risk of diabetic ocular complications.
Keywords
Tears; diabetics; mag nesium; calcium; phosphorus.
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© Copyright 2019 - Okukpon et al.
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