Electrolyte Disturbances in Chronic Liver Disease: Correlation of Serum Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium Levels with Disease Severity

Abstract

Background: Electrolyte imbalances are common in cirrhosis and may indicate disease progression. While magnesium has been explored as a marker of severity, limited studies evaluate the combined correlation of sodium, potassium, and magnesium with chronic liver disease severity. Aims: To estimate serum sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels in cirrhosis patients, and to assess their correlation with the severity of liver disease as measured by Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 121 cirrhotic patients. Serum electrolyte levels were measured and correlated with MELD and CTP scores. Statistical tests were done using SPSS v26. Results: Magnesium levels declined significantly across worsening CTP classes (p = 0.012), and inversely correlated with MELD (r = -0.336, p < 0.001). However, sodium (p = 0.22) and potassium (p = 0.792) levels showed no significant variation across CTP classes. Magnesium also negatively correlated with bilirubin (r = -0.258, p = 0.004) and positively with albumin (r = 0.239, p = 0.008). Conclusion: Magnesium correlates significantly with cirrhosis severity, suggesting its utility as a prognostic marker. Sodium and potassium did not show a consistent association. Routine evaluation of magnesium may enhance the assessment of cirrhosis progression.