Effects of COVID-19 on Plasma Sodium and Potassium Levels in Adult Patients

BACKGROUND: Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infects human lung tissue cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), and the body's sodium is an important factor for regulating the expression of ACE2. Through this study, we found that low blood sodium is significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. OBJECTIVE: Assess the incidence of Na and K in newly diagnosed COVID-10 ‎infected patients without a previous history of diseases. ‎ Study the correlation between age and sex. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study that involved a recently newly diagnosed COVID-infected patient. Each patient was followed up prospectively ‎for the duration of admission (two weeks), and random plasma Na and K was ‎recorded for each patient at diagnosis, during the active infection (7-10 days from admission). The study was carried out in the Baghdad Teaching Medical City complex outpatient ‎clinic. The study started in April 2021 and was completed in June 2021 (about three ‎months).‎ RESULTS: The study included 60 patients, with a mean age of 45.9 ± 18.6 years, with a similar male-to-female ‎ratio. Patients were negative for past medical and surgical history‎. There was a significant change in blood Na levels in older than younger patients compared to normal values. No change has been found in K levels compared to normal levels of the reference range. CONCLUSIONS: There is an increased risk of hyponatremia in apparently normal newly ‎diagnosed COVID-19 patients, which is more prevalent in males older than younger or female patients