Sodium and potassium excretion in normotensive and hypertensive population in Kashmir.

One hundred thirty five hypertensive patients and equal number of age and sex matched healthy controls were taken up for studying the relationship of 24 hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion, sodium-potassium molar ratio and body mass index (BMI) with blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive population in Kashmir. There was statistically significant elevated 24 hour urinary sodium excretion (p < .001), increased Na+-K+ molar ratio, significantly higher BMI in hypertensive population as compared to controls whereas there was a lower 24 hour urinary excretion of potassium (p > .20) in patients with hypertension. Thus sodium and potassium excretion, Na+-K+ molar ratio and body mass index has direct bearing in perpetuation or causation of hypertension in Kashmir which may be related to intake of salt tea.

Progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), carcinoma breast and valvular heart disease: an unusual combination.

Systemic sclerosis is a multi system disorder characterised by fibrosis of skin and internal organs. There are reports of relation between cancer and polymyositis/dermatomyositis, but no overall association with systemic sclerosis. Reports of the coexistence of cancer and systemic sclerosis, however, emphasise a close temporal relation in their occurrence. Cardiac involvement in the form of myocardial fibrosis and pericarditis occurs frequently in systemic sclerosis, while valvular involvement has been reported only sporadically. We report a patient, admitted for adenocarcinoma of left breast who was found to have features of systemic sclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, gangrene of toes, and stenotic mitral valve disease. The possible mechanisms of the coincidence of the three disorders are discussed.