A study of serum sodium level in Chronic Liver Disease patients in Tertiary Care Hospital at Guwahati, India

Background: The normal range for serum sodium is 135-145 mEq/L. Imbalances in serum sodium levels, including hyponatremia and hypernatremia, can have significant clinical implications. Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder in hospitalized patients, especially those with chronic liver disease (CLD). It is typically characterized by excessive renal retention of water relative to sodium, often due to reduced solute-free water clearance and increased release of arginine vasopressin (AVP). While hypernatremia has a high mortality rate, it is less common than hyponatremia. Objective: To determine the prevalence of hyponatremia in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and to analyze the correlation between serum sodium levels and various complications associated with CLD Methods: The study was conducted on male and female patients aged 30-70 years, admitted to the ward, ICU, or SICU at Downtown Hospital,Guwahati. A total of 20 patients with CLD were included in the study. Serum sodium levels were measured, and the presence of complications was noted. Results: Out of the 20 chronic liver disease patients, 55% had hyponatremia, 35% had hypernatremia, and 10% had normal sodium levels (eunatremia). The patients exhibited various complications: 20% had ascites, 15% experienced hematemesis and vomiting, and others had conditions such as swelling, increased intracranial pressure (ICP), seizures, septicemia, and hepatitis. Conclusion: Hyponatremia is prevalent among hospitalized CLD patients, especially those with ascites and low sodium levels. The study suggests a potential link between serum sodium imbalances and the severity of complications in CLD patients. Further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to confirm these findings and better understand the correlation between serum sodium levels and clinical outcomes in CLD patients.