Assessment of Sodium Disturbances in Chronic Liver Disease Suffering from Diarrhea with Dehydration

Abstract

Background: Chronic liver disease (CLD) significantly impacts global health, affecting nearly 1.5 billion individuals. Sodium disturbances are common in CLD and can lead to severe systemic effects. However, the relationship between these disturbances and CLD-related complications such as diarrhea and dehydration is complex and not fully understood. Objective: To assess the sodium disturbances in chronic liver disease patients suffering from diarrhea with dehydration presenting at a tertiary care hospital, in Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to July 2023, including individuals aged >18 years diagnosed with CLD, experiencing diarrhea and dehydration, and on diuretic therapy. The blood sample was collected from all of the participants and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The blood is then tested to measure the concentration of sodium in milliequivalents per liter (meq/L). The normal range for sodium levels in the blood typically falls between 135 to 145 meq/L. Levels below or above this range can indicate sodium imbalances. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were performed on SPSS. Results: The mean age of the participants was 33.35 years, with a standard deviation of 8.01. Of 126 patients, 38.1% were male, 27% had hypertension, and 15.1% had diabetes. The mean sodium concentration was found as 132.17±14.23 meq/L, with 42.9% of CLD patients experiencing diarrhea and dehydration having sodium levels <135 meq/L. Diabetic CLD patients showed a significant association with low sodium levels (73.7% with sodium <135 meq/L). Conclusion: A high prevalence of sodium imbalances among CLD patients suffering from diarrhea and dehydration, with diabetes being a significant contributing factor.

Keywords

• sodium
• chronic liver disease
• diarrhea
• dehydration
• hyponatremia.