A study on electrolyte abnormalities among stroke patients

 

 

Abstract              Background: Globally, cerebrovascular accidents (stroke) are the 2^nd leading cause of death and 3^rd leading cause of disability. Worldwide, 70 p.c of stroke cases and 87 p.c of both stroke-related deaths and disability-adjusted life years occur in low- and middle-income countries. In India, the incidence of stroke ranged from 105 to 152 per lakh persons per year during the past 20 years. Sodium and potassium concentration disorders are the common electrolyte abnormalities reported in cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and lead to mortality if not corrected in time. Aim and Objectives: To study the common electrolyte disturbances among different types of stroke patients. To study their association with outcome of stroke. Material and Methods: A hospital-based, analytical prospective observational study was conducted among fifty individuals who presented with stroke and got admitted in Department of General Medicine of Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Bangalore. The study was conducted for a period of 8 months from 1^st August 2017 to 31^st March 2018. A prior permission was obtained from the institutional ethics committee. The study population included patients aged 16 years or above of both genders admitted within 48 hours of onset and with a CT-Brain confirmation of stroke. Using a standardized proforma demographic data and clinical data were obtained. The subtype of stroke was determined by clinical examination and CT scan of brain. Total serum sodium and potassium levels were determined. Patients were followed-up for two weeks during their stay and before discharge from the hospital using Glasgow outcome scale. The data obtained was entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed in SPSS version-22 trial. Chi-square test was performed. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results Majority 64 p.c (32) were males and 36 p.c (18) were females. Majority 52 p.c (26) had ischemic stroke followed by 46 p.c (26) had intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke and 2 p.c (1) had subarachnoid hemorrhagic stroke. Among patients with hemorrhagic stroke 66.6 p.c (16) had dyselectrolytemia and 33.4 p.c (8) had normal electrolytes and among patients with ischemic stroke 46.2 p.c (12) had dyselectrolytemia and 53.8 p.c (14) had normal electrolytes. Conclusion: Electrolyte imbalance commonly occurs during and after acute stroke. Hyponatremia and hypokalemia are most common electrolyte imbalances in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Keywords: Electrolyte abnormalities, stroke.