DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i06.013

Pages: 2106-2110

Background/Aims: Hyponatremia associated with liver cirrhosis is caused by impaired free water clearance.(1) Several studies have shown that hyponatremia is significantly associated with complications of cirrhosis and also correlate with survival in cirrhotic patients. This study aims at studying the association between serum sodium level and the severity of complications in patients with liver cirrhosis. Materials and methods: Data of patients with liver cirrhosis was retrospectively reviewed for associated complications. The severity of hyponatremia and its association with severity of complications of 299 patients were analyzed using chi square test and ANOVA. Results: In our study conducted on 299 patients, the age distribution was between 20 to 85 years and the mean age was 45.7+/-10.94. Male: female ratio - 265:34. 175 patients had hyponatremia. Significant association was found between hyponatremia and ascites (p value-0.019), Severe hyponatremia was associated with the severity of hepatic encephalopathy (p value-0.013), renal dysfunction (p value-0.033) and grade of esophageal varices(p value-0.013). No significant association was found between Child-Pugh score and hyponatremia (p value-0.97). Conclusion: Results of the study show significant association of hyponatremia with complications of liver cirrhosis such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, renal dysfunction and grade of esophageal varices.