Epidemiological Profile of Electrolyte Abnormality in Geriatric Emergencies

Abstract

Aims: To find out the various electrolyte abnormality seen in the elderly people and the various co- morbid conditions in them.

Objective: To identify the epidemiological profile of electrolyte abnormality among geriatric patients who presented to the emergency department.

Setting: Emergency department of Christian Medical College Vellore.

Design: This study involves retrospective analysis of data from October 15^th 2012 to January 31^st 2013.

Population: All the patient's ≥65 years of age presenting to the emergency department with electrolyte abnormality are taken into the study. Information about the demography, presenting symptoms, vital signs, triage criteria, length of hospital stay, electrolyte imbalance and final diagnosis were collected and were analyzed for average percentage and mean. Descriptive statistics were used in this study.

Results: 851 patients were studied. Males constituted 66%. The commonest presenting symptom was found to be fever followed by dyspnoea and cough. Airway and breathing was compromised in 11% and 1% respectively. 31% patients had hypotension. Temperature was high in 10% of patients.46% patients were admitted in the hospital. Final diagnosis of ACS constituted 11.2% of patients. CVS problems constituted 16% of problems followed by RS and Infectious diseases. The most common electrolyte abnormality was found to be hyponatremia. 7% of patients died during their hospital stay.