Taurine level and field changes in different hereditary types of retinitis pigmentosa

ABSTRACT

This study was performed to detect if there is a correlation between various hereditary subtypes, taurine level and field indices. This correlation may help in the accurate diagnosis and management of different hereditary subtypes of retinitis pigmentosa cases. The study included 28 patients with retinitis pigmentosa [16 males and 12 females] and 25 controls with matched age and sex distribution. All patients and controls were subjected to clinical evaluation that included personal and family history taking, informative pedigree construction and full clinical examination to exclude the associated genetic syndromes. Field changes were detected in both eyes of 22 RP patients using Humphrey field analyzer 640 utilizing the 24-2 program. All patients and ten of the controls were examined for plasma taurine level by amino acid analyzer [Lc 3000 Eppendorf Biotronik]. A statistical analysis was done using statistical package for social science [SPSS] program. The results showed that taurine level can help in the diagnosis of different hereditary subtypes of retinitis pigmentosa, especially simplex cases that has no definite inheritance. This will improve the genetic counseling for RP families. Taurine can also be considered as a marker for the degree of severity of visual field affection in retinitis pigmentosa cases