Prevalence of electrolyte imbalance among diabetic patients attending Kiwoko Hospital in Nakaseke district, Uganda. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/mdwt6h52Keywords:
Electrolyte imbalance, Diabetic patients, Diabetes mellitus, Hyponatremia, Kiwoko HospitalAbstract
Background:
The study aimed to determine the prevalence of electrolyte imbalance among diabetic patients attending Kiwoko Hospital in Nakaseke District, Uganda.
Methodology:
A hospital-based cross-sectional study using quantitative methods was conducted among diabetic patients’ records at Kiwoko Hospital Laboratory, Nakaseke District. Secondary data were obtained from laboratory registers and patient files. A sample of 384 records was selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a structured extraction checklist, pretested for validity and reliability. Information was coded and analysed using SPSS version 25, with descriptive statistics and tests of association used to determine prevalence and factors associated with electrolyte imbalance. Confidentiality was maintained throughout.
Results:
The prevalence of electrolyte imbalance among diabetic patients is 38.0% (146/384), while 62.0% (238/384) had normal electrolyte levels. Hyponatremia was the most common abnormality, affecting 58 (39.7%) patients with electrolyte imbalance, followed by hypokalemia 40 (27.4%), hyperkalemia 26 (17.8%), hypocalcemia 14 (9.6%), and other abnormalities 8 (5.5%). Regarding sex, females constituted the majority of participants, 208 (54.2%), compared with males, 176 (45.8%). Among the individual factors assessed, electrolyte imbalance was more prevalent among patients with uncontrolled blood glucose, 108/222 (48.6%), than those with controlled glucose, 38/162 (23.5%). Patients with diabetes for more than 10 years had the highest prevalence, 48/96 (50.0%), compared with 40.6% among those with 5–10 years and 28.0% among those with less than five years. Kidney disease showed a marked difference, with imbalance in 62/96 (64.6%) versus 84/288 (29.2%) without kidney disease.
Conclusion:
Electrolyte imbalance was relatively high among diabetic patients attending Kiwoko Hospital Laboratory, with hyponatremia being the most common electrolyte abnormality.
Recommendation:
Healthcare workers should strengthen routine electrolyte monitoring among diabetic patients for early detection and management of electrolyte abnormalities.
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