ABSTRACT

Introduction: Bacterial and tuberculous meningitis has a very high chance of fatality. In bacterial and tuberculous meningitis, hyponatremia is a complication of unknown frequency and quite significant clinically. The present research was carried out to assess the severity, symptoms, incidence, and consciousness level of hyponatremia in tuberculous and bacterial meningitis acquired from the community.

Study Design: A Descriptive Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration: In the Medicine Department of M. Islam Medical and Dental College Gujranwala for one-year duration from June 2019 to June 2020.

Methods: This study consists of 35clinically diagnosed bacterial and tuberculous meningitis’ patients attending the Medical department.The serum electrolytes and consciousness level were noted down at the time of presentation of all patients.

Results: Among the patients positive for meningitis, 35(100%) showed hyponatremia, the concentration of serum sodium fluctuated from 116-138 mmol / l; Theaverage level of sodium is 128.67± 5.66 mmol / L. It was observed that the concentration of low sodium levels in serum were mild in 22(62.9%) (> 125-135 mmol / L), moderate in 11 (110-125 mmol / L) and severe in 2(5.7%) who has less than 110 mmol/L. There was only 2 (5.7%) patient who was suffering from severe meningitis (<110 mmol / l). We found out that on 1st day, GCS ranged from 7 to 14, average SD was 11.66 ± 1.50. The concentrations of the serum sodium levels are128.67± 5.66 and 128.73±7.54 in tuberculous meningitis (n = 9) and bacterial meningitis (n = 26), the average GC recorded when patients were admitted was 11.48±2.23 and 12.05±1.50 respectively among Bacterial and TB Meningitis.

Conclusion: Even though the degree of severity, incidence rate, and the significance of hyponatremia in the patients suffering from bacterial meningitisclinically is unknown currently, however, the occurrence of this may affect the results depending on its severity in patients. So, having an idea about the frequency and severity will help healthcare professionals in deciding the appropriate therapy.

Keywords: Meningitis, hyponatremia, adults