Frequency of hyperchloremia and mortality in patients presenting with sepsis at tertiary care hospital, Karachi

Background

Hyperchloremia is frequently encountered in critically ill patients with sepsis and may reflect disease severity, altered renal handling, or exposure to chloride-rich intravenous fluids. This study was designed to assess the prevalence and in-hospital mortality for hyperchloremia in patients with sepsis. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 165 adults aged 30 to 80 years admitted with sepsis to the Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Chloride was tested within 12 hours of admission and hyperchloremia was defined as >107 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, intensive care unit admission and in-hospital mortality were documented. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to assess associations with a p-value ≤0.05 regarded as statistically significant.