A Study on Electrolyte Abnormalities Among ICU Patients Admitted in a Tertiary Care Hospital of South India

Abstract

Background

Electrolyte abnormalities are common in patients admitted to intensive care units, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Among the electrolytes sodium, potassium and bicarbonate are the common electrolytes which can produce disturbances in cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular and gastrointestinal systems.

Aims and Objectives

This study is aimed at assessing the prevalence of electrolyte abnormalities among patients admitted in intensive care unit of Tertiary care hospital.

Materials and methods

A retrospective study was done among 198 patients admitted in I.C.U of Tertiary Care Hospital during a period of 1 year from Jan 1st 2015 to Dec 31st 2015. A data containing the socio-demographic variables was prepared. Bio chemical parameters including serum sodium, potassium, bicarbonate were taken into account and the data was analyzed using SPSS 24.0 version.

Results

The electrolyte abnormalities are as follows: Hyponatremia 18.18%, Hypokalemia 8.58%, Hyperkalemia 3.03%. Bicarbonate levels were low in 14.14%. Among the patients with electrolyte abnormalities 12.1% were diabetic, 19.5% were hypertensive, 41.46% were both hypertensive and diabetic and 26.82% were non diabetic and non hypertensive.  63.4% of the patients had sepsis and 29.26% needed ventilator support. In our study group, 9.75% had Acute Kidney Injury, 9.75% had CKD-3, 4.87% had CKD-4 and 26.28% had CKD-5. The prevalence of stroke in our study group was 26.82% and 39% of the population had adverse lipid profile. Mortality rate was 12.2% among the study group with dyselectrolytemia.

Conclusion

Hyponatremia was the most common electrolyte abnormality and Sepsis being the most commonly associated co-morbidity. This study emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and management of electrolyte abnormalities which is quite often missed.