Evaluation of Serum Electrolytes among Geriatric and Non-Geriatric Men in Osisoma, ABA, Nigeria
Chidinma Blessing Oguji
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
Chimdike Godswill Omejua
*
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Ngozi M. Igboh
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Ageing is a progressive development associated with a decline in the physiological functions, which increases susceptibility to organ dysfunction (especially the kidney) in geriatrics. This facilitates the risk of electrolyte imbalance, as the kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining these electrolyte concentration.
Aim: This was a cross-sectional study designed to evaluate serum sodium ( ), potassium ( ), chloride ( ), and bicarbonate ( ) levels, and understand their prevalence among apparently healthy geriatric and non-geriatric men residing in Osisoma, Aba.
Methodology: A total of 100 apparently healthy participants were enrolled for this study, comprising of 50 geriatric men aged 65 years and above, and 50 non-geriatric men aged 20-30 years. From both groups, serum samples were used for the analyses of sodium ( ), potassium ( ), chloride ( ), and bicarbonate ( ) using Spectrophotometer. The data obtained was analyzed statistically using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 25), student’s t-test, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), pearson correlation coefficient and P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean values of sodium (136.6+3.9mmol/L), potassium (3.9+0.5mmol/L), chloride (100.2+3.9mmol/L) and bicarbonate (24.4+4.3 mmol/L) levels in geriatric subjects showed no statistical significant difference (P > 0.05) when compared to the mean values of sodium (136.9+2.3 mmol/L), potassium (3.9+0.4 mmol/L), chloride (100.8+2.8 mmol/L) and bicarbonate (24.9+3.9 mmol/L) in non-geriatric subjects. The study also revealed a significant difference (P = 0.001) in the mean value of bicarbonate (24.8+4.3 mmol/L; 25.8+1.9mmol/L, and 18.1 +3.3 mmol/L) among geriatric subjects, when compared based on age range using ANOVA. There was a significant negative correlation between the ages and bicarbonate levels (r = -0.4, P = 0.008), a non-significant positive correlation between ages and sodium levels (r = 0.1, P = 0.498), and chloride levels (r = 0.2, P = 0.125), and a non-significant negative correlation between the ages and potassium levels (r = -0.1, P = 0.691) in geriatric subjects.
Conclusion: The result from this study showed no significant alteration of serum electrolytes between geriatric and non-geriatric subjects, and a significant alteration of bicarbonate levels among the geriatric subjects. This present study has shown that ageing without any comorbidities has lesser effect on serum electrolytes.
Keywords: Sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, ageing