Publication:

Study of serum electrolytes in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Background Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and decreased quality of life. Due to lack of awareness of precipitating factors and predictors of prognosis in  acute exacerbation of  COPD in developing countries by most treating physicians, often leads to  fatal outcomes. Aim of the study was to study of serum electrolytes in acute exacerbation of COPD Patients.

Methods In our study, we assessed the levels of serum sodium and potassium in subjects with acute exacerbation of COPD and their healthy controls.

Results We found a significantly low level of serum sodium (132±5.65Meq/lit) and potassium (3.29±0.96 Meq/lit)) in subjects with acute exacerbation of COPD than their healthy controls (Na+ =140±2.28 Meq/lit and K+ = 4.51±0.02 Meq/lit (p<0.05).

Conclusions Our study findings suggest that, serum sodium and potassium levels may get deranged in subjects with acute exacerbations of COPD which should be routinely checked for to avoid fatal outcomes.