Title: Electrolyte disturbances in patients with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma
Authors: Dr Akansha Das, Dr Sarang Patil, Dr Girija Nair, Dr Abhay Uppe
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i9.55
Abstract
Introduction: Abnormal electrolyte levels in patients with bronchial asthma can be attributed to either low dietary intake or to adverse effects of asthma medications. This study was aimed at assessing the levels of serum electrolytes in patients with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma and comparing them against non-asthmatic controls.
Methodology: This observational study was conducted on patients who presented with complaints of acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma in the Emergency Department of Dr. DY Patil Medical College, Navi Mumbai. Laboratory investigations for biochemical parameters like serum sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and chloride were measured by using automated chemistry analyzer. During the study period a total of 50 asthmatic patients were compared against age and gender matched non-asthmatic controls.
Results: Mean age of the patients in asthmatic and non-asthmatic group were 37.0 ± 8.7 and 38.4 ± 7.5 years respectively. Significantly lower mean serum calcium level was observed among asthmatics as compared to non-asthmatics (8.68 ± 1.02 mg/dl vs 9.59 ± 0.55 mg/dl, p value = 0.002). Similarly, significantly lower mean serum magnesium levels were found among asthmatic patients as compared to non-asthmatic controls (1.91 ± 0.54 mEq/L vs 2.43 ± 0.53, p value = 0.001). Furthermore, we observed a significantly higher proportion of patients with hypomagnesemia (62% vs 20%) and hypocalcemia (24% vs 2%) among asthmatics as compared to non-asthmatics.
Conclusions: Calcium channel blockers and calcilytics may have a role in treatment of asthma and its symptoms.
Keywords: Acute severe asthma; Hypocalcemia; Hypomagnesemia; Hyponatremia.
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