Ain Shams Medical Journal · Jul 13, 2026

Electrolyte Disturbances in Hospitalized Elderly Egyptian Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

By Matter AH, solara AMAG, hassan AFA

Background: Electrolyte disorders are common in elderly patients and significantly affect morbidity and mortality.Aim: To detect the prevalence of electrolyte disturbances in hospitalized elderly patients across different units (inpatient wards, intermediate care units (IMCUs), and intensive care units (ICUs)), identify risk factors, and assess their associations with in-hospital mortality in ICU patients.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 elderly patients at Ain Shams University Geriatric Hospital from July 2024 to January 2025. We collected demographic data, medical history, Age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI), and serum electrolyte levels. Laboratory tests (WBC, Hb, CRP) were performed at admission, and ICU assessment tools (APACHE II, SOFA) were used. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality among ICU patients.Results: Sodium imbalance was the most common electrolyte disturbance (42.4%), with hyponatremia affecting 36.1% of patients (ward: 31.9%, IMCU: 43.4%, ICU: 35.2%). Hypernatremia occurred in 6.3%. Hypokalemia prevalence was 18.3%, hyperkalemia 8.3%, hypocalcemia 30.5%, hypercalcemia 1.5%, hypomagnesemia 5.5%, hypermagnesemia 8.8%, hypophosphatemia 21.5%, and hyperphosphatemia 18%. Common comorbidities included hypertension (65.3%), diabetes (51.5%), cardiac disease (44.8%), CKD (28.7%), and stroke (24.8%). In-hospital mortality among ICU patients was 51.6%. Compared to survivors, non-survivors had significantly higher serum sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, and creatinine levels, and lower serum calcium levels.Conclusion: Electrolyte disturbances are highly prevalent among geriatric patients, with dysnatremia being the most common. These disturbances are significantly associated with in-hospital mortality among elderly ICU patients, emphasizing the need for routine monitoring and early intervention.

doi.org/10.21608/asmj.2026.467692.1627 Open access Populations