FREQUENCY OF HYPONATREMIA IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH BACTERIAL MENINGITIS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

IA SHAH; N KHAN; M ASLAM; S WAHEED; B AHMAD; AMT HUSSAIN

doi:10.54112/pjicm.v5i02.116

Authors

IA SHAH Department of General Medicine, Gomal Medical College MTI, Dikhan, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
N KHAN Department of General Medicine, Gomal Medical College MTI, Dikhan, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
M ASLAM Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert, Scotland
S WAHEED Department of Oncology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
B AHMAD Department of Dermatology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
AMT HUSSAIN Department of Pulmonology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/pjicm.v5i02.116

Keywords:

Hyponatremia, Bacterial Meningitis, Electrolyte Imbalance, Adults, Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte imbalance observed in central nervous system infections, including bacterial meningitis. It can worsen neurological status and clinical outcomes if left unrecognized and untreated. Objective: To determine the frequency of hyponatremia in adult patients diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: the General Medicine Department of Mufti Mehmood Memorial Teaching Hospital, MTI, Gomal Medical College, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. Duration of Study: The study time frame was 02-Novemeber-2024 to 02-May-2025. Methods: A total of 135 adult patients aged 18–60 years with confirmed bacterial meningitis were enrolled. Diagnosis was based on clinical signs (fever ≥38.5°C, nuchal rigidity, photophobia) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis (WBC >1,000 cells/μL or glucose <40 mg/dL). Hyponatremia was defined as serum sodium ≤130 mEq/L with associated clinical symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, confusion). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS, and categorical variables were expressed in percentages. Results: The mean age of participants was 40.13 ± 12.72 years, with 57.8% being male and 42.2% female. Comorbidities included hypertension (31.9%) and diabetes mellitus (21.5%). Hyponatremia was identified in 54.8% of the study population. Conclusion: Hyponatremia was observed in more than half of the patients with bacterial meningitis, highlighting its high frequency and clinical relevance. Routine electrolyte monitoring and prompt correction may improve outcomes in these patients.

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