- Visibility 446 Views
- Downloads 497 Downloads
- Permissions
- DOI 10.18231/j.ijcbr.v.12.i.2.11
-
CrossMark
Comparison of serum electrolytes among smokers, asthmatic patients, and healthy controls at a tertiary hospital
- Author Details:
-
Hashmi Jakkula
-
Indira Veeranki
-
Sridevi Nutakki
-
Madhusudhan Pativada
-
Kirmani Natukula
-
Rakesh Anil Varikuti
-
Ruthamma Pallepogu
-
Satish Palkurthi
Sridevi Nutakki
Madhusudhan Pativada
Background: Electrolytes, which are ions with electrical charges, are vital in maintaining physiological balance within the human body. They play key roles in cellular processes such as signal transmission in neurons, muscle contractions, hormone activity regulation, bone mineralization, and the stabilization of fluid and pH levels. Smokers and asthmatics have abnormal electrolytes leading to poor functioning of body. Clear understanding of electrolyte imbalances may facilitate early identification of complications and guide clinical decision-making. Among chronic asthma patients, hypomagnesemia has been reported as the most frequently observed electrolyte disturbance. Electrolytes affect airway smooth muscle excitability by modulating ion transport mechanisms, including Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump activity.
Objectives: To assess and compare serum electrolyte levels among healthy controls, smokers and asthmatic patients.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 90 participants, divided equally into three groups: smokers, asthmatics, and healthy controls. Recruitment was conducted over a three-month period at a tertiary care hospital using purposive quota sampling, targeting individuals aged 18 to 65 years of both sexes. Serum levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride were measured after taking written informed consent. Ethical clearance along with institutional approval was secured prior to the study. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using ANOVA and post hoc tests via the Jamovi software (free online version).
Results: Asthmatics showed significantly lower levels of sodium, chloride, and magnesium compared to smokers and controls. Post-hoc analysis confirmed significant differences between controls and asthmatics for these electrolytes.
Conclusions: Electrolyte imbalances especially hyponatremia, hypochloremia and hypomagnesemia are prevalent in individuals with asthma. Monitoring and managing electrolyte levels could play vital role in the clinical care of asthmatic patients, especially during acute exacerbations. Our study shows that sodium levels in asthmatics (Group 3) are significantly lower than in smokers (Group 2). However, the difference between controls (Group 1) and asthmatics is borderline significant (p = 0.053).
References
- Lee J. Fluid and electrolyte disturbances in critically ill patients. Electrolyte Blood Press. 2010;8(2):72–81.
- Timerga A, Kelta E, Kenenisa C, Zawdie B, Habte A, Haile K. Serum electrolytes disorder and its associated factors among adults admitted with metabolic syndrome in Jimma Medical Center, South West Ethiopia: facility based crossectional study. PLoS One. 2020;15(11):e0241486.
- Al-Fawaeir S. Association of smoking with serum electrolytes, liver enzymes, and haematology parameters: A single-centre experience from Jordan. N Z J Med Lab Sci. 2024;78(3):126–30.
- Bokhoven C, Niessen HJ. Amounts of oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke, with and without inhalation. Nature. 1961;192:458–9.
- Benowitz NL, Hall SM, Stewart S, Wilson M, Dempsey D, Jacob P 3rd. Nicotine and carcinogen exposure with smoking of progressively reduced nicotine content cigarette. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007;16(11):2479–85.
- Wan-Kuen J, Jung-Wook O. Evaluation of CO exposure in active smokers while smoking using breath analysis technique. Chemosphere. 2003;53(2):207–16.
- Sagone AL Jr, Lawrence T, Balcerzak SP. Effect of smoking on tissue oxygen. Blood. 1973;41(6):845–51.
- Casasola GG, Alvarez-Sala JL, Marques JA, Sanchez-Alarcos JM, Tashkin DP, Espinos D. Cigarette smoking behavior and respiratory alterations during sleep in a healthy population. Sleep Breath. 2002;6(1):19–24.
- Zhang X, Li J, Sejas DP, Pang Q. Hypoxia-reoxygenation induces premature senescence in FA bone marrow hematopoietic cells. Blood. 2005;106(1):75–85.
- Deming Q, Gerbode F. Observations on sodium balance in patients undergoing mitral valvotomy. Surg Forum. 1953;4:18–22.
- Nguyen MK, Kurtz I. Determinants of plasma water sodium concentration as reflected in the Edelman equation: role of osmotic and Gibbs-Donnan equilibrium. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2004;286(5):F828–37.
- Hammad H, Lambrecht BN. The basic immunology of asthma. Cell. 2021;184(6):1469–85.
- Ukena D, Fishman L, Niebling W. Bronchial asthma: Diagnosis and long-term treatment in adults. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2008;105(21):385–
- Gustafson T, Boman K, Rosenhall L, Sandström T, Wester PO. Skeletal muscle magnesium and potassium in asthmatics treated with oral beta2-agonists. Eur Respir J. 1996;9(2):237–40.
- Bodenhamer J, Bergstrom R, Brown D, Gabow P, Marx JA, Lowenstein SR. Frequently nebulized β-agonists for asthma: Effects on serum electrolytes. Ann Emerg Med. 1992;21(11):1337–42.
- Mickleborough T, Gotshall R, Rhodes J, Tucker A, Cordain L. Elevating dietary salt exacerbates hyperpnea-induced airway obstruction in guinea pigs. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2001;91(3):1061–
- Alamoudi OS. Electrolyte disturbances in patients with chronic, stable asthma: effect of therapy. Chest. 2001;120(2):431–6.
- Ditre JW, Heckman BW, Zale EL, Kosiba JD, Maisto SA. Acute analgesic effects of nicotine and tobacco in humans: a meta- analysis. Pain. 2016;157(7):1373–81.
- Sezgin Yılmaz. Evaluation of Serum Biochemical Parameters and Metabolism in Smokers: A Case Control Study [Preprint]. Res Square. 2022.
- Global Initiative for Asthma. Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention [Internet]. 2023 update. Fontana, WI: GINA; 2023. Available from: https://ginasthma.org/wp- content/uploads/2023/07/GINA-2023-Full-report-23_07_06- WMS.pdf
- Latha P. A study of serum electrolytes abnormality in asthmatics. IOSR J Biotechnol Biochem. 2017;3(4):52–6.
- Mohammad HA, Abdulfttah MT, Abdulazez AO, Mahmoud AM, Emam RM. A study of electrolyte disturbances in patients with chronic stable asthma and with asthma attacks. Egypt J Chest Dis Tuberc. 2014;63(3):529–34.
- Amin R, Alyasin S, Rahmani G. Theophylline-induced alteration in serum electrolytes and uric Acid of asthmatic children. Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003;2(1):31–7.
- Vasileiadis I, Alevrakis E, Ampelioti S, Vagionas D, Rovina N, Koutsoukou A. Acid-Base Disturbances in Patients with Asthma: A Literature Review and Comments on Their Pathophysiology. J Clin Med. 2019;8(4):563.
- Bosamak NER, Shahin MH. Beta2 Receptor Agonists and Antagonists. [Updated 2023 Jul 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025.
- Deenstra M, Haalboom JR, Struyvenberg A. Decrease of plasma potassium due to inhalation of beta-2-agonists: absence of an additional effect of intravenous theophylline. Eur J Clin Invest. 1988;18(2):162–5.
- Sawhney A. Assessment of Electrolyte Disturbance in Asthmatic Patients: A Tertiary Care Hospital Based Study. Int J Med Res Prof. 2016;2(5):254–7.
- Padmavathi P, Reddy VD, Varadacharyulu N. Influence of chronic cigarette smoking on serum biochemical profile in male human volunteers. J Health Sci. 2009;55(2):265–70.
- Husemoen LLN, Glümer C, Lau C, Pisinger C, Mørch LS, Linneberg A. Association of obesity and insulin resistance with asthma and aeroallergen sensitization. Allergy. 2008;63(5):575–82. Jakkula et al. / International Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Research 2025;12(2):125-131 131
- Ramsay S, Dagg K, McKay I, Lipworth BJ, McSharry C, Thomson NC. Investigations on the renin-angiotensin system in acute severe asthma. Eur Respir J. 1997;10(12):2766–71.
- Lutfi MF. Electrolytes levels in asthmatic patients. Asian J Biomed Pharm Sci. 2013;3(20):1–4.
- Bos W, Postma D, Doormaal J. Magnesiuric and calciuric effects of terbutaline in man. Clin Sci. 1988;74(6):595–7.