Relation between serum electrolytes & serum creatinine levels in diabetes mellitus

Aim: Diabetes mellitus with altered renal function is associated with the disturbed pattern in serum electrolytes. There arises a need to evaluate the serum electrolytes in diabetic patients according to the stage of the renal function. The main of the study is to study the serum electrolytes in diabetic patients depending on the serum creatinine levels. Materials and Method: The study was conducted in a retrospective way by going through the records of the patients diagnosed as type 2 diabetics. Fasting blood sugar, serum creatinine and serum electrolytes [Na+, K+, Cl-] values were noted down and patients were separated into three groups depending on the serum creatinine values. Group 1[n=104] included patients with serum creatinine <1.5mg/dl, Group 2[n=77] included patients with creatinine 1.5-3 mg/dl and Group 3[n=19] with creatinine > 3 mg/dl. Results: Among 200 diabetic patients 52% were in group 1 and only 9.5% patients were in group 3.Serum sodium was observed normal in 61% of group 1 patients, even then 39% of group 1 diabetics had altered serum sodium levels. 69% of group 3 diabetics had hyponatremia. Moreover 74% of diabetics of group 3 had hyperkalemia. Hypochloremia is also common in the group 3 diabetics of raised creatinine. Conclusion: It was observed that serum electrolytes were even altered in diabetic patients with normal creatinine belonging to group 1. The abnormality of serum electrolytes like hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and hypochloremia were common in diabetic patients as the renal function start deteriorating. Thus it indicates the need for the evaluation of the serum electrolytes in diabetic patients.