Hyponatremia in liver cirrhosis patients presenting with hepatic encephalopathy.

Objective: To determine frequency of hyponatremia in liver cirrhosis patients presenting with hepatic encephalopathy. Study Design: Descriptive Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Medicine, Sandeman Provincial Hospital, Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences Quetta. Period: June 2020 to December 2020. Material & Methods: Cirrhosis was characterised on Ultrasound abdomen with altered liver parenchyma, shrunken liver and coarse echo texture. HE was defined as a spectrum of neuropsychiatric abnormalities diagnosed clinically with adequate history taking and physical examination. After taking informed consent from the patients’ attendants, 172 patients of liver cirrhosis presenting with HE were enrolled. Detailed clinical history and examination along with investigations were done. Hyponatremia was defined as serum sodium level <135 mEq/L. Data was analyzed through SPSS Version 20.0. Results: There were 127 (73.8%) males and 45 (26.2%) females with mean age 46.61+9.31 years while mean BMI was 25.25+2.73 kg/m2. Out of 172 patients, 18 (10.5%) had Child-Pugh Class A, 63 (36.6%) Child-Pugh Class B and 91 (52.9%) had Child-Pugh Class C. Hospital stay >3 days was seen in 47 (27.3%) while 125 (72.7%) had stay of >3 days. It was observed that 14 (8.1%) patients expired. Hyponatremia was found in 69 (40.1%). Conclusion: Hyponatremia was a common feature in liver cirrhosis patients presenting with hepatic encephalopathy. Furthermore a significant association of hyponatremia was seen with hospital stay and all-cause mortality.