Kidney Injury And Electrolyte Abnormalities In Liver Failure
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36283/ziun-pjmd15-2/006Keywords:
Liver Failure, Acute Kidney Injury, Hyponatremia, Mortality, Renal DysfunctionAbstract
Background: Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a severe kidney complication of liver failure, reflecting liver–kidney physiological interaction. AKI and hyponatremia are common in advanced liver disease and impact morbidity and mortality. This study is the first in Pakistan to assess both conditions together in a strictly defined population, excluding major confounders, and to correlate findings with survival outcomes.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, PAEC General Hospital from April 2025 to June 2025. All patients aged 18–85 years with liver failure were enrolled through consecutive sampling. The target population included patients with admitted liver failure. Data on acute kidney injury (AKI) and hyponatremia were collected using clinical and laboratory evaluation and analyzed statistically among survivors and non-survivors.
Results: Those with hyponatremia had a worse survival rate among cirrhotic adults without comorbidities; however, this difference only became significant when a blood sodium concentration of ≤135 mmol/L was taken into account (p=0.012). Acute kidney injury (AKI) was found in 28 (23.53%) patients, while hyponatremia was present in 40 (33.61%) patients with liver failure. AKI was significantly more common among non-survivors compared to survivors (80.0% vs. 15.38%; p<0.001). Similarly, hyponatremia was more frequent in non-survivors than survivors (66.67% vs. 28.85%; p=0.002).
Conclusion: The prevalence of AKI and hyponatremia is high in liver failure and strongly associated with mortality according to the study’s findings. Early detection and close monitoring remain essential.
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