Electrolyte Imbalance Pattern in Hospitalized Unconscious Patients

Authors

  • Muhammad Naveed Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical of Science (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
  • Malik Nadeem Azam Khan Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical of Science (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
  • Syed Umer Shah Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical of Science (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
  • Altaf Hussain Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical of Science (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
  • Muhammad Shahid Khan Heavy Industries Taxila Education City Institute of Medical Sciences, Taxila/National University of Medical Science (NUMS), Pakistan
  • Muhammad Zahid Hussain Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical of Science (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v73i1.4548

Keywords:

Electrolyte imbalance, Hospitalized, Unconscious

Abstract

Objective: To determine the pattern of electrolyte imbalance and associated etiological factors among the unconscious patients hospitalized at Pak Emirates Military Hospital.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan from Sep 2019 to Feb 2020

Methodology: A total of 240 cases were included in this study in liaison with other departments where the admitted patients became unconscious. Patients with a Glasgow coma scale score <10 were included in the study. Serum electrolytes, including Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium and Chloride, were measured in the study participants.

Results: Mean age of study participants was 49.10±7.55 years. One hundred and sixty-two (67.5%) patients were from Medicine -Allied Wards while 78(32.5%) patients were from Surgical-Allied Wards. Thirty-eight patients were from the Critical Care Unit. Mean serum sodium was 139.10±11.52 meq/L, while potassium was 4.60±1.06 meq/L. Mean chloride was 809.4±53.55 meq/L, and Magnesium was 1.40±1.05) meq/L. Our analysis revealed that advanced age, underlying medical illness and duration of hospitalization were strongly linked with electrolyte imbalance among the unconscious patients.

Conclusion: Electrolyte imbalance emerged as a common finding in the unconscious patients hospitalized in our tertiary care unit. Patients with advancing age, medical illnesses and long hospitalization should be screened for electrolyte wasting a priority to prevent them from going unconscious.

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Published

22-02-2023

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Original Articles

How to Cite

1.
Naveed M, Azam Khan MN, Shah SU, Hussain A, Khan MS, Hussain MZ. Electrolyte Imbalance Pattern in Hospitalized Unconscious Patients. Pak Armed Forces Med J [Internet]. 2023 Feb. 22 [cited 2024 Sep. 19];73(1):59-61. Available from: https://www.pafmj.org/PAFMJ/article/view/4548