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Ring-shaped cataract and urinary metabolites among 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene exposed population of Pakistan

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Abstract

Background

Safety protocols are usually neglected among most of the trinitrotoluene (TNT)-exposed population, therefore, rendering the community prone to various occupational hazards. The current study highlights ring-shaped cataract and urinary metabolites of TNT among TNT-exposed population (n = 26) against a control group (n = 20).

Method

An observational case–control study was carried out in two groups: subjects exposed to TNT in Dir and Bajour Agency, Pakistan, and a control group from the base hospital. We determined the presence of ring-shaped cataract and urine metabolites of TNT using slit-lamp biomicroscope and gas chromatography–mass spectrometric analysis, respectively.

Results

Results substantiate a high level of urine metabolites for exposed subjects compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Age had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the presence of ring-shaped cataract and the level of urinary metabolites of TNT, while duration of exposure showed significant effect (p < 0.001). Females showed high incidence of ring-shaped cataract and urinary metabolites of TNT than men ( p < 0.001). The mean age of the exposed subjects was 51 ± 14.38 (Mean ± SD) years. The mean year of exposure was 49 ± 5 (Mean ± SD) years.

Conclusion

This study showed TNT as a risk factor for the presence of ring-shaped cataract among TNT-exposed group in Pakistan. It is important to screen exposed community for the presence of ring-shaped cataract, and pre-clinical identification of TNT adducts to prevent systemic complications.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Armed Forces Institute of Pathology for help with systemic investigations.

Funding

This project was funded by the Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Jhelum Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, Sydney, Australia

    Sidra Sarwat

  2. Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Jhelum Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Ambreen Akhtar, Syeda Fizza Abdud Dayan, Najma Shaheen, Tariq Usman & Tayyab Afghani

  3. Noor Eye Care and Medical Centre, Banni Chowk, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Humna Shahid Durrani

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  1. Sidra Sarwat
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  2. Ambreen Akhtar
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  3. Syeda Fizza Abdud Dayan
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Correspondence to Sidra Sarwat.

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There is no conflict of interest associated with this study.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the ethics and scientific committee of Al-Shifa trust eye hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

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This study was done in consideration of Helniski protocol, and data were collected with an informed consent form signed by subjects.

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Informed consent was taken for publication of the eye images.

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Sarwat, S., Akhtar, A., Dayan, S.F.A. et al. Ring-shaped cataract and urinary metabolites among 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene exposed population of Pakistan. Int Ophthalmol 42, 2619–2624 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-022-02252-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-022-02252-2

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