STUDY OF SERUM ELECTROLYTES IN PATIENTS WITH STROKE IN VISAKHAPATNAM

Abstract

Dyselectrolytaemia is one of the most common complications of acute . This study is aimed to check the type of electrolyte abnormality, which is commonly encountered in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. So, in this regard we designed a cross-sectional study at King George Hospital Visakhapatnam on 60 acute stroke patients [ischemic stroke (30) & hemorrhagic stroke (30)]. Diagnosis was confirmed by both neurological examination and radiological basis. The study revealed that there is a strong association of
hypokalemia and stroke [p=0.016]. 16 [26.7%] hemorrhagic stroke patients and 7 [11.7%] ischemic stroke cases were found predominantly with hypokalemia. Majority of the stroke cases belong to the age group of 45-64 years. Mean age and standard deviation of ischemic stroke cases was found to be 60.3 + 11.15 years, while for hemorrhagic stroke cases, it was found to be 53.03 + 10.40 years, with a statistical difference between the two groups. Mean serum sodium, potassium levels and standard deviation of
ischemic stroke cases and hemorrhagic stroke cases was found to be 133.4 + 7.82 mmol/l, 3.7 + 0.66  mmol/l and 139.3 + 8.82 mmol/l, 3.5 + 0.53 mmol/l respectively. Significant differences were found only in mean serum sodium levels between the groups. The results of this present study clearly show that hypokalemia was the most common dyselectrolytaemia seen in both ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke types, with a significant statistical difference between the two groups. Early detection and management can improve the overall outcome of stroke patients.