Changes in serum electrolytes and lipid profile in diabetes subjects in Freetown Sierra Leone

Abstract EN

Background : Measurement of blood electrolytes level and lipid profile usually give good indications of the disease progression in a number of non communicable diseases. Objective : To investigate the effect of diabetes on electrolyte and lipid status of male and female diabetics in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Subjects and Methods : Serum concentrations of electrolytes and lipids in one hundred and twenty (120) adult diabetics attending some diagnostic centers in Freetown Sierra Leone were measured and compared with those of one hundred and twenty (120) non-diabetic individuals. Results : Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk ratio in diabetic patients were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of non-diabetics.

Diabetic subjects also have low HDL-cholesterol compared with the non-diabetics.

Analysis of serum electrolytes in diabetic individuals also shows significant reduction in serum K+, Na+ and HCO3 - while Cl- was significantly elevated compared with non-diabetics.

There was no significant difference between the sexes in all parameters studied. Conclusion : We conclude that lipid abnormalities and electrolyte imbalance contribute towards complications observed in diabetes.