Assessment of Electrolyte Level of Diabetic Patients

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder/disease characterized by high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) with changes in carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism in the body due to disruption in insulin action, insulin secretion or both. These metabolic changes affect the concentration of electrolytes. These derangement results from insulin deficiency, hyperglycemia and hyperketonemia. Hyperglycemia sets the internal environment for osmotic diuresis while causing a dilutional effect on electrolyte concentrations. The aim of this study was to assess the electrolyte levels of diabetic patients in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu (UNTH). This study involving 30 diabetic and 30 Non-Diabetic (ND) subjects (outpatients) was conducted at university of Nigeria teaching hospital, Enugu. The patient’s anthropometric data was obtained and the serum electrolytes; potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-), and bicarbonate (HCO3) ions were measured using ion-selective electrode (ISE) system along with fasting blood glucose using glucometer. The study observed that, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and sodium Na+ were significantly higher (p<0.05) while potassium K+ and bicarbonate (HCO3) were significantly lower (p<0.05) in diabetic subjects compared to non-diabetic subjects. Serum chlorides were insignificantly higher in diabetic subjects compared to non-diabetic subjects. Systolic blood pressure showed significant (p<0.05) negative correlation with diastolic blood pressure, and potassium (K+) and positively with fasting blood glucose significantly (p<0.05). Diastolic blood pressure also correlated positively with fasting blood glucose significantly (p<0.05) and negatively correlated potassium (K+) significantly. Potassium (K+) negatively correlates chloride (C1-), and negatively correlated bicarbonate (HCO3), and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) significantly (p<0.05). This study concludes that, there is electrolyte imbalance in diabetic patients therefore, successful management of these disorders can best be accomplished by early diagnosis, good glycemic control and dietary modification are usually enough for prevention and treating complications in diabetes.