Dysnatremia in patients with chronic liver disease: a cross-sectional observational study

Abstract

Background: The clinical significance of serum sodium levels and its association with a higher rate of complications in cirrhosis is debatable. This study was done to study the serum sodium levels in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients and establish its association with the severity of disease in such patients.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included adult patients diagnosed with CLD and assessed their serum electrolytes. The severity of liver disease was assessed using Child Pugh score (CPS) and model for end stage liver disease (MELD). Those with serum sodium levels less than 130 mEq/l were classified as group A, 131 to 135 mEq/l as normal group B and greater or equal to 136 mEq/l as Group C.Results: In the present study, hepatic encephalopathy (p<0.01), hepatorenal syndrome (p<0.01) and coagulopathy (p<0.01) were found to occur significantly more common among patients from Group A, as compared to those in patients from group B or C. Mean MELD, CPS score and mortality was significantly higher among group A patients.Conclusions: Patients with lower serum salt levels had a substantially higher MELD score and CPS. Low blood sodium levels were linked to more severe liver disease, greater complications, and increased death. As a result, we urge that serum salt levels be checked on a frequent basis in patients with chronic liver disease.