COMPARISON OF ELECTROLYTES IN DIABETIC AND NON-DIABETIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: Characterized by high blood glucose levels referred as hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder with changes in carbohydrates, protein and lipid metabolism which is caused due to disturbance in secretion of insulin or insulin action or both. There are several effects of diabetes, beginning with metabolic imbalances, degeneration of the walls of the blood vessels that can allow electrolyte concentrations to dilute and counteract the proportion of electrolytes. In several applications, electrolytes play an important part, such as acid base, body fluids, blood clots and muscle contractions are regulated. In preserving homeostasis in the body, and also in protecting cellular structure, tissue perfusion and acid base equilibrium, fluid and electrolyte equilibrium play important roles. The association with glucose in the blood and electrolytes are complex and electrolyte imbalances can influence the course and treatment of diabetes. We know that diabetes is a chronic disease and there are possible complications. For a long time people with extreme hyperglycemia may remain mostly asymptomatic. Consequently, many of them have some end-organ damage at the moment of diagnosis of diabetes. Pathophysiological factors like nutritional status, certain drugs, coexistence of acid-base imbalance, co-morbid conditions like renal disorder or acute illness play a key role in electrolyte imbalance, alone or in combination.
 Material & Methods: Patients attending medicine OPD were selected for this study after obtaining their consent. Purposive sampling technique has been used to obtain sample. A total of 100 patients were included in this comparative study among which 50 were diabetic and 50 were non-diabetic patients. The demographic details of patients were noted. Blood samples were collected and investigated and analyzed for Magnesium, Sodium, Chloride and Potassium. RESULTS: In present study it has been observed that the levels of magnesium were 1.7 ± 0.4 in diabetic patients and 2.0 ± 0.2 in patients not suffering from diabetes. It was observed that the mean values of magnesium in diabetic patients were significantly lower compared to those of patients who did not suffer with diabetes. Sodium, chloride and potassium did not differ significantly among both groups.
 Conclusion: Importance of serum electrolytes is shown in this study. Diabetes mellitus patients are more likely to develop electrolytes. Most likely, imbalances are due to the complications they acquire and the medicines they take. Hypomagnesemia is more common in our sample than other electrolyte disorders in the diabetic population.
 Keywords: Electrolytes, Magnesium, Diabetes Mellitus