Assessment of Serum Electrolytes levels of Hepatitis B Subjects in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria
1 Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus. Enugu State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus.
3 Department of Orthopedic, National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu, Nigeria.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Science and Technology, 2025, 15(02), 089-095.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjst.2025.15.2.0133
Publication history:
Received on 14 October 2025; revised on 24 November 2025; accepted on 27 November 2025
Abstract:
Objective: Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) which maybe acute or chronic. Untreated chronic HBV infection can lead to end-stage liver disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis which is the major cause of electrolyte imbalances in hepatitis B patients. This study assessed the serum electrolytes levels of Hepatitis B subjects in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria.
Methods: A total of 75 subjects of ages 18-40 years, were recruited for this cross sectional study 30 Hepatitis B positive subjects ( Female =17, Male=13) as test and 45 ( Female =27, Male=18) Hepatitis B negative subjects as control. Anthropometric indices were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. 5mls of blood was collected from each participant for the determination of serum electrolytes by ion selective electrode method, using the CBS-50Na/K/Cl/Ca/Tco2 analyzer. The data generated were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25 and results expressed as mean and standard deviation.
Results: The results show a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the mean ± standard deviation of Systolic BP, Diastolic BP, Sodium and Bicarbonate levels while body mass index (BMI), Potassium and Chloride levels showed non-significant difference (P> 0.05) in the test subjects compared to the control subjects respectively. A positive correlation exists between SBP vs DBP and HCO3- vs K+ among the test subjects.
Conclusion: This study suggests that Hepatitis B infection could predispose an individual to electrolytes variations/imbalance. Hence, there is need for regular electrolytes assessments in Hepatitis B subjects.
Keywords:
Electrolytes; Hepatitis B subjects; Blood pressure; BMI; Enugu Metropolis
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